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Jeannette A. Vargas Vacates Trump Administration Policy Suspending Immigrant Visas for 75 Countries

A federal judge in New York has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended the processing of immigrant visas from 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia. U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas ruled that the policy was "contrary to law" and exceeded the statutory authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The policy, which was announced by the State Department in January, aimed to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who were likely to become public charges. However, Judge Vargas noted that the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 prohibits discrimination based solely on nationality, and the administration's mandate to refuse visas based on country of origin—regardless of individual assessment—represented a direct abrogation of the law. The ruling vacates visa denials that were based solely on the policy, allowing for a return to case-by-case reviews by consular officers. The administration announced that it is protecting the American people by upholding high standards of screening and vetting. The judge gave both sides until September 11 to propose a resolution for the remaining issues in the case.

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