US Judge Makes Major Move on 75-Country Visa Freeze — Nigeria Included

A US federal judge has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries, including Nigeria.

US District Judge Jeannette Vargas in Manhattan ruled on Friday that the policy exceeded the legal authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and conflicted with US immigration law.

The policy, introduced by the State Department in January, prevented applicants from the affected countries from receiving immigrant visas based on concerns that they could become dependent on public assistance in the United States.

In her ruling, Vargas described the policy as “patently unlawful,” arguing that the secretary of state did not have the authority to impose a blanket nationality-based restriction on immigrant visa processing.

She said the policy directly conflicted with the legal framework governing the work of US consular officers.

The case was brought by immigrant-rights groups, visa applicants and US citizens sponsoring relatives. They challenged the government’s decision to suspend visa issuance for nationals of the affected countries.

Nigeria was among the 75 countries covered by the January policy, alongside Ghana, Cameroon, Ethiopia, Egypt, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Haiti, Somalia and others.

The ruling means the specific blanket suspension has been struck down. However, it does not automatically grant immigrant visas to applicants from the affected countries.

Applicants must still meet existing US immigration requirements, while other visa restrictions or immigration policies may remain in effect.

The decision could nevertheless provide relief for Nigerians and other affected applicants whose immigrant visa processing was disrupted by the January policy.

The US State Department is expected to provide further guidance on how visa processing will proceed following the court’s decision.

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