A United States federal court has blocked a policy introduced by President Donald Trump that suspended immigrant visa processing for Nigerian citizens and nationals of 74 other countries.
US District Judge Jeannette Vargas issued the ruling on Friday in the Southern District of New York.
Court Says Policy Exceeded Government Authority
The court ruled that the policy, introduced by the US Department of State in January, was unlawful and exceeded the authority granted to Secretary of State Marco Rubio under federal immigration law.
The policy had suspended the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries, affecting people seeking to permanently relocate to the United States.
The Trump administration had defended the measure by citing concerns that some applicants from the affected countries could become dependent on public assistance after entering the United States.
Nigeria Among Affected African Countries
Nigeria was among the African countries included in the visa suspension.
Other affected African countries listed include:
- Ghana
- Cameroon
- The Gambia
- Liberia
- Sierra Leone
- Senegal
- Uganda
- Tanzania
- Ethiopia
- Kenya
- Rwanda
- Somalia
- Sudan
- South Sudan
- Egypt
- Morocco
- Algeria
- Côte d’Ivoire
- Togo
- Tunisia
The wider list also included countries across Asia, Europe, the Caribbean and Latin America.
Relief for Visa Applicants
The court’s decision represents a significant development for Nigerians and other affected nationals who had been unable to obtain immigrant visas under the suspended policy.
The ruling challenges the legal basis of the visa restriction and could reopen a pathway for affected applicants, subject to any further legal action or appeal by the US government.
