Federal Judge Halts Visa Policy Affecting 75 Countries

Why it matters locally: While the direct number of affected individuals in Mississippi from these 75 countries is not immediately available, changes to federal immigration policy can have ripple effects on communities, including potential impacts on family reunification and labor markets.

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A federal judge has overturned a Trump administration policy that stopped the processing of immigration visas for individuals from 75 countries. The judge determined that Secretary of State Marco Rubio surpassed the scope of his authority by implementing the policy. The court stated the policy conflicted with the Immigration and Nationality Act. The ruling specified the policy mandated the denial of visas to eligible applicants without a legal basis.