Federal Judge Strikes Down Administration's Immigrant Visa Freeze on 75 Countries

WASHINGTON, DC — A federal district judge issued a nationwide preliminary injunction Saturday morning striking down an executive directive that halted immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries.

Judicial Ruling on Statutory Authority

The 64-page opinion concluded that while Section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act grants the President broad authority to suspend entry of foreign nationals deemed detrimental to U.S. interests, it does not permit the categorical suspension of statutory visa issuance categories mandated by Congress.

"The executive cannot rewrite congressionally established immigration systems under the guise of general procedural suspensions," the court ruled, ordering the Department of State and U.S. consulates to resume scheduling immigrant visa interviews.

Department of Justice Notice of Appeal

The Department of Justice immediately announced its intent to file an emergency appeal with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit. Administration officials argued that the temporary freeze was necessary to conduct comprehensive vetting audits and implement updated biometrics verification systems across international consular posts.