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Federal judge strikes down Trump-era visa ban affecting 75 countries
AP News • • nation
Key Points:
- A federal judge in New York vacated a Trump administration policy that suspended visa processing from 75 countries, ruling it exceeded statutory authority and violated the Immigration and Nationality Act by denying visas based solely on nationality.
- Judge Jeannette Vargas emphasized that visa decisions are the exclusive discretion of consular officers, and the policy unlawfully bypassed this statutory framework by imposing a blanket ban.
- The policy was challenged by nonprofits and individuals affected by visa refusals, with advocates highlighting the ruling as a victory for family reunification and the rule of law.
- The Trump administration had justified the policy by citing data on public assistance use among immigrants from the targeted countries, but critics called the ban discriminatory and harmful to families.
- The State Department defended its vetting procedures as necessary for national security but declined further comment due to ongoing litigation.
