US judge strikes down Trump policy suspending immigrant visa processing for 75 countries
US District Judge Jeannette Vargas in Manhattan said the policy that the State Department announced in January was "patently unlawful" and ran afoul of federal immigration law.
On Friday, a US judge in Manhattan ruled that a Trump administration policy suspending immigrant visa processing for 75 countries was illegal, as it exceeded the authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Judge Jeannette Vargas of the US District Court found the policy "patently unlawful" and in conflict with federal immigration law, which specifically prohibits the secretary of state from having authority over consular officers' processing of immigrant visas.
The policy, announced in January, banned the issuance of immigrant visas based solely on the applicant's nationality, affecting nations across Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. According to the State Department, countries affected included Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Bosnia, Albania, Pakistan, Bangladesh, as well as many others in Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean.
The department's decision cited concerns about applicants being at high risk of becoming public charges, requiring the use of local, state, and federal resources in the United States. The ruling was issued in a lawsuit filed by immigrant rights groups and individuals affected by the policy, with support from US citizens sponsoring family members from the designated countries.
President Donald Trump's administration has implemented a series of immigration crackdowns, claiming they aim to enhance domestic security. However, critics argue that these measures infringe upon free speech, due process rights, and create unsafe conditions, particularly for ethnic minorities who fear racial profiling.
Written by urgent.news from Jerusalem Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
This story
This is one outlet's version. Read the fullest account.
