Federal judge strikes down State Department visa ban on 75 countries

Published August 22, 2026 10:20pm ET | Updated August 23, 2026 3:19pm ET



A federal judge in New York ruled against the Trump administration’s policy suspending immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries on Friday, which was implemented in January by Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas, an appointee of former President Joe Biden, ruled in the 61-page decision “the Policy is contrary to law and was issued in excess of Secretary Rubio’s statutory authority.” Visa issuance must now resume for individuals from the 75 countries for which the State Department suspended processing, including Russia, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Already a print subscriber? Click here to login/register your account

Trusted reporting.Unlimited access.

Subscribe for full access to Washington Examiner coverage, expert political analysis, and subscriber-only journalism.

Get Unlimited Access

Already a member? Log in

Cancel anytime.