Judge Overturns Trump's Immigration Visa Suspension Policy

A U.S. judge has overruled a Trump-era policy that suspended immigrant visas for 75 countries. Judge Jeannette Vargas stated that the policy exceeded the Secretary of State's statutory authority and violated federal immigration law. The controversial measure affected applicants from Latin America, South Asia, Africa, and other regions.

A U.S. judge has nullified a controversial policy from the Trump administration that halted the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries. The policy was deemed to have exceeded statutory limits of the Secretary of State.

Judge Jeannette Vargas, from the U.S. District Court in Manhattan, ruled that the policy was "patently unlawful" as it contradicted federal immigration law, notably removing the authority over visa processing from consular officers.

The suspension affected countries across Latin America, the Balkans, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, where applicants were judged as high-risk for becoming public charges. The ruling was a response to a lawsuit filed by immigrant rights groups and applicants.