US judge strikes down Trump's 75-country visa ban

A U.S. federal judge has struck down a government ban that prohibited immigrant visas for individuals from 75 countries, dealing a significant blow to President Donald Trump's immigration policies. The ruling, issued Friday in the Southern District of New York by Judge Jeannette Vargas, declared the policy "contrary to law."

Judge Vargas stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had exceeded his "statutory authority" in implementing the ban. The policy, which took effect in January, halted the processing of immigrant visas for nationals of countries including Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Thailand, and Yemen. The State Department had justified the decision by citing concerns that immigrants from these nations might unlawfully access U.S. welfare systems or become a public charge.

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contrary to law

However, Vargas ruled that consular officers were improperly instructed to deny immigrant visas based solely on an applicant's country of origin, even if the applicant met all other requirements. The ruling vacates any visa denials made exclusively under this policy. The government retains the option to appeal the decision.

President Trump campaigned on a platform of expelling undocumented migrants and has pursued various measures since taking office to expedite deportations and curb border crossings. This judicial decision challenges one aspect of his administration's broader immigration enforcement efforts.

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statutory authority