A federal judge has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended immigrant visa issuance for individuals from 75 countries. U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas ruled on Friday that the policy, announced by the State Department in January, was unlawful and exceeded the statutory authority of the Secretary.
The directive had instructed U.S. embassies and consulates to halt immigrant visa adjudications while the State Department reassessed its vetting procedures. The administration stated at the time that the pause was intended to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who might become a public charge.
Judge Vargas determined that the policy conflicted with federal immigration law, which grants consular officers the sole discretion to determine visa eligibility. The judge wrote that the policy, which categorically prohibited immigrant visa issuance based on an applicant's nationality, directly contradicted this legal framework.
The court's order also vacates visa denials that were solely based on this policy. The Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., which challenged the policy, stated that the suspension separated spouses, parents, and children who were following the legal immigration process.
"Today's decision affirms both those values and the rule of law, allowing families to once again move forward toward reunification," said Anna Gallagher, executive director of the Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc.
The State Department has not yet indicated whether it will appeal the decision, and it did not immediately respond to requests for comment.