US judge strikes down Trump's visa ban on 75 countries
A US federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's ban on immigrant visas for nationals of 75 countries was unlawful, dealing a setback to the president's immigration crackdown. The government may appeal the decision.
A federal judge in the Southern District of New York has ruled that the Trump administration acted unlawfully in banning immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, delivering a setback to President Donald Trump's push to tighten immigration.
In her ruling issued Friday, Judge Jeannette Vargas found the policy to be "contrary to law," stating that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had gone beyond the authority granted to him by statute when he introduced it.
Policy took effect in January
The measure, in place since January, halted processing of immigrant visa applications from nationals of 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Thailand and Yemen. At the time, the State Department justified the move as a way to prevent immigrants from "high-risk" countries from unlawfully accessing welfare benefits or becoming a public charge.
Judge Vargas found that consular officers had been improperly instructed to deny immigrant visas based solely on an applicant's nationality, even in cases where the applicant had otherwise been found eligible.
Earlier denials vacated
Friday's ruling vacates any visa denials that were based solely on the now-struck-down policy. The administration retains the option to appeal.
Trump ran for office pledging to remove millions of undocumented immigrants and, since returning to office, has pursued a series of measures aimed at accelerating deportations and curbing border crossings.
