Chicago – August 22, 2026
A federal judge in New York has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries. The policy, introduced in January by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was based on the administration’s claim that applicants from those countries were more likely to become dependent on public benefits.
U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled on August 21 that the policy was unlawful and exceeded the Secretary of State’s authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act. She also found that stopping visa processing solely because of an applicant’s nationality violated federal protections against nationality-based discrimination.
The decision affects countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, the Caribbean and the Middle East, including Afghanistan.
Immigrant-rights organizations welcomed the ruling as a victory for families and legal immigration. The Trump administration could appeal the decision.
