Federal judge blasts Rubio’s 75-country visa freeze as ‘Orwellian,’ strikes down policy

A federal judge has invalidated the Trump administration’s policy that froze immigrant visas from 75 countries, stating that Secretary of State Marco Rubio did not have the legal authority to implement such a freeze. The ruling found the policy contrary to law and characterized the administration’s justification as ‘Orwellian logic.’ This decision vacates the policy and requires the government to reconsider visa refusals based solely on this directive.

• 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.