Judge Jeannette Vargas strikes down the administration's visa ban for immigrants from 75 countries
Judge Jeannette Vargas of the Manhattan Federal District Court ruled on Friday that the administration's suspension of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries is "patently unlawful." The policy, introduced in January, aimed to prevent the entry of individuals from nations where more than 30 percent of immigrant households received public assistance. However, Judge Jeannette Vargas determined that the policy exceeded the statutory authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and violated a 1965 law barring discrimination by nationality. Under federal law, an immigrant can only be turned away as a likely "public charge" after a consular officer evaluates an individual's finances, age, and skills. The administration's directive ordered officers to reject applicants from the 75 countries regardless of their personal circumstances. While the administration won a narrow point regarding the policy's lack of need for public comment, the ruling represents a setback for the administration's immigration crackdown. The administration may appeal the ruling, and both sides have until September 11 to propose solutions for the remaining issues.