Federal judge blasts Rubio’s 75-country visa freeze as ‘Orwellian,’ strikes down policy
A federal judge ruled Secretary of State Marco Rubio lacked authority to order immigrant visa denials for applicants from 75 countries found eligible.
TL;DR
- A federal judge struck down the Trump administration's freeze on immigrant visas from 75 countries.
- U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that Secretary of State Marco Rubio lacked the legal authority to implement the policy.
- The policy suspended immigrant visa issuance to nationals from 75 countries deemed at high risk of becoming dependent on public benefits.
- The judge found the policy contrary to law, in excess of statutory authority, and imposed a nationality-based ban.
- The ruling directs the government to revisit cases denied solely based on this policy.
- The lawsuit was brought by immigrant advocacy groups and prospective immigrants.