In a landmark decision, U.S. District Judge Elena Ramirez declared the 75‑country visa restriction imposed by the Trump administration unlawful. The judge held that the executive order exceeded the President’s authority under the Immigration and Nationality Act and violated the Equal Protection Clause by discriminating based on nationality.
The ruling, which came after a coalition of immigrant advocacy groups challenged the ban, orders the government to lift the restrictions within 30 days and to provide relief to individuals whose visas were denied. The Department of State has announced an appeal, but legal experts predict the decision will set a strong precedent for future immigration policy challenges.