U.S. Court Strikes Down Trump-Era Ban On Immigrant Visas For Nigeria, 74 Other Countries

A United States federal court has struck down a policy introduced under *President Donald Trump* that suspended immigrant visa processing for applicants from *Nigeria and 74 other countries*, a decision that could reopen immigration pathways for thousands of affected individuals.

The ruling was delivered by *U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas* in Manhattan, who declared the policy unlawful and beyond the authority of the Secretary of State. According to the court, the measure improperly blocked immigrant visa issuance based solely on nationality, in violation of existing immigration laws.

The policy took effect in *January 2026* and suspended immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Nigeria was among the countries affected.

The *U.S. State Department* had justified the move, arguing that applicants from the listed countries posed a higher risk of becoming public charges.

However, immigrant rights groups challenged the policy in court, arguing that it amounted to nationality-based discrimination and unlawfully blocked legal immigration channels.

Judge Vargas agreed, ruling that the blanket suspension violated federal immigration statutes and exceeded the powers granted to the Secretary of State.

The case was filed by several advocacy organizations, including the *Catholic Legal Immigration Network* and *African Communities Together*, alongside visa applicants and U.S. citizens seeking to reunite with family members from the affected countries.

The decision has been welcomed by immigration advocates, who described it as a significant victory for families separated by the restrictions. The ruling is expected to benefit thousands, and potentially millions, of prospective immigrants whose applications were delayed or halted.

It remains unclear whether the Trump administration will appeal the judgment. As of press time, the U.S. State Department had not issued an official response to the court’s decision.

For many Nigerians hoping to relocate to the United States through family sponsorship and other immigrant visa categories, the ruling could mark a major turning point after months of uncertainty.