Federal Judge Strikes Down Visa Freeze From 75 Countries

It impacted about 40% of the world's nations. That includes Brazil, Somalia, Egypt, Haiti and Russia.

A federal judge struck down the Trump administration’s ban on visas for immigrants from 75 countries.

In the ruling, the judge said the policy was “contrary to law” and outside the statutory authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The State Department paused the issuance of immigrant visas in January. It impacted about 40% of the world’s nations. That includes Brazil, Somalia, Egypt, Haiti and Russia.

The department said the move would prevent entry of people who would “take welfare and public benefits.” But the judge found that in practice, officers were ordered to reject visas for applicants based solely on the country they came from. Visa applications were rejected even if the applicant could support themselves.