A United States federal judge has overturned the Trump administration’s suspension of immigrant visa processing for nationals of 75 countries, including Nigeria, providing relief to Nigerians seeking to relocate to the US permanently.
Gatekeepers News reports that US District Judge Jeannette Vargas of the Southern District of New York ruled on Friday that the policy was unlawful and exceeded the statutory authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (Reuters)
The policy, which took effect on January 21, 2026, had suspended the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from the affected countries over concerns that some immigrants could become dependent on public assistance. Nigeria was among the countries listed under the policy. The US State Department had confirmed that the measure applied specifically to immigrant visas and not ordinary non-immigrant visas such as tourist and student visas. (Travel State)
In her ruling, Vargas said the blanket suspension improperly restricted visa issuance based on nationality and interfered with the authority of consular officers to assess individual visa applications. She also found that the policy conflicted with provisions of the US Immigration and Nationality Act. (NILC)
The lawsuit was brought by immigrant-rights organisations, affected visa applicants and US citizens sponsoring relatives. The plaintiffs argued that the policy unlawfully prevented eligible immigrants from completing the normal visa process and separated families. (NILC)
The ruling represents a major setback for the Trump administration’s immigration restrictions and a reprieve for thousands of people from the affected countries, including Nigerians with plans to join relatives or settle in the United States.
The decision came about seven months after the suspension was introduced. The US government may still challenge the ruling, meaning the practical effect of the decision could depend on any appeal or subsequent court orders.
