US judge blocks Trump administration visa suspension for 75 countries
A federal judge said the State Department lacked authority to halt immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries.
A federal judge in the United States has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended immigrant visa processing for people from 75 countries, ruling on Friday that the move was unlawful. The decision affects a measure the government said was aimed at limiting access for applicants likely to rely on public assistance.
According to the court ruling, the State Department went beyond its legal powers when it imposed the nationality-based restriction. The judge said the policy could not stand because it discriminated on the basis of where applicants came from.
The administration had stopped issuing the visas as part of its broader immigration crackdown. The government can still challenge the ruling on appeal.
The case adds to a series of legal fights over Trump-era immigration restrictions and the limits of executive authority in visa policy.
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