Judge Strikes Down Trump’s 75-Country Visa Ban

A US federal judge has ruled against the Trump administration's 75-country visa ban, declaring the policy "contrary to law" and beyond the legal authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Judge Jeannette Vargas dismissed the administration's claim that the ban was a necessary "pause" of immigration applications, stating that officials were required to deny visas to eligible individuals who could support themselves, violating a statute demanding individualized assessments.

The ban, which took effect in January, affected applicants from countries including Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, and Myanmar, among others. Vargas' decision reverses any visa denials based solely on the policy, potentially requiring the review of thousands of previously denied visas. The ruling was welcomed by the National Immigration Law Center and other plaintiffs, who highlighted the chaos caused for families separated by the ban. The administration may appeal the decision to the 2nd US Circuit Court of Appeals.