Kathmandu— A United States court has overturned a rule implemented during the Trump administration that suspended the issuance of immigrant visas to individuals from 75 countries. The State Department announced the restrictions in January, citing concerns about potential reliance on public benefits by new immigrants; however, Judge Jeannette Vargas of Manhattan found the policy unlawful on Friday, stating it contradicted established legal standards for determining visa eligibility. The ban did not apply to tourist or student visas and impacted nations including Russia, Brazil, Colombia, Albania, Egypt, Haiti, Somalia, and Pakistan.

Policy Details and Legal Challenge

The Trump administration justified the restrictions as a measure to prevent individuals likely to become “public charges” – those dependent on government assistance – from entering the country. However, Judge Vargas determined that the policy categorically prohibited visa issuance based solely on nationality, bypassing the required individual assessment of finances, health, and skills outlined in US law.

Vargas also found that Secretary of State Marco Rubio lacked the authority to implement such a broad visa ban. The ruling stemmed from a lawsuit brought forth by immigrant rights groups and individuals whose visa applications had been denied.

Government Response and Ongoing Litigation

Following the court’s decision, a State Department spokesperson declined to comment on the ongoing litigation. However, they maintained that the Trump administration was acting to “protect the American people by upholding the highest standards of screening and vetting of visa applicants.”

The Trump administration retains the right to appeal the ruling.

Broader Immigration Enforcement

The visa ban occurred alongside a broader crackdown on immigration policies, including increased deportations. Guatemalan President Bernardo Arevalo recently stated that approximately 2,300 Mexican nationals had been flown to his country from the US since the beginning of the year, despite objections from Mexico.

US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is also facing scrutiny regarding conditions within its detention centers; reports indicate at least 52 deaths occurred in ICE custody during the first 500 days of Trump’s second term.

The ruling represents a significant legal challenge to the Trump administration's immigration policies, and further developments are expected pending potential appeals.

(With inputs from RT)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.