23.08.2026 07:30
A district court in the U.S. state of New York has issued a ruling to cancel the policy of President Donald Trump's administration that suspended visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia.
U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas struck down as "unlawful" the Trump administration's policy suspending visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia, which it deemed likely to need public assistance in the U.S.
"AUTHORITY EXCEEDED"
Vargas stated that Secretary of State Marco Rubio's policy, which mandated "the denial of visas to otherwise eligible applicants without any legal basis," "exceeded authority" and violated the Immigration and Nationality Act.
Vargas emphasized that the policy also "undermined" Congress's decision to prioritize consular officers in approving visas, noting, "Congress has granted these officers exclusive authority and discretion to determine whether an immigrant is eligible for a visa by examining the specific and detailed criteria set forth in the law."
Judge Vargas said, "This policy, which categorically prohibits the issuance of immigrant visas based on an applicant's nationality, represents a direct violation of this statutory framework."
VISA APPLICATIONS FROM 75 COUNTRIES HAD BEEN SUSPENDED
The State Department had announced that, under a broader order issued in November tightening rules on potential immigrants who could become "public charges," it instructed consular officers to suspend immigrant visa applications from 75 countries.
The department noted, based on Council of Economic Advisers data, that more than 30 percent of households with immigrants from these countries received some form of public assistance.