A federal judge has struck down a Trump administration policy that halted immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries since January 2026.
U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas in Manhattan ruled on August 21 that the policy violated federal law and went beyond Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s statutory authority.
The State Department had introduced the suspension in January, arguing that immigrants from the affected countries risked becoming a “public charge” by relying on U.S. government benefits. The policy took effect January 21 and covered immigrant visas across family- and employment-based categories.
Vargas held that federal immigration law requires consular officers to evaluate each applicant individually, weighing factors like financial resources, age, health, family circumstances, education and skills. A blanket policy denying visas based on nationality alone, she found, does not meet that standard.
Under the ruling, any visa refusal issued solely under the invalidated policy must now be reconsidered under standard immigration rules. Refusals made on other legal grounds are not affected.
The decision applies only to immigrant visas. It has no bearing on separate requirements for tourist, business, student or other nonimmigrant visa categories.
The Trump administration could appeal. As of the latest reports, the State Department had not issued a public response to the ruling.