A U.S. federal court has overturned a policy introduced under President Donald Trump that suspended immigrant visa processing for citizens of Nigeria and 74 other countries, potentially restoring an important immigration route for thousands of people seeking to move to the United States.
U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas, sitting in Manhattan, ruled that the policy was unlawful and exceeded the authority granted to the U.S. Secretary of State. The court found that immigration law did not give the Secretary of State the power to impose a blanket suspension of immigrant visa processing based solely on an applicant’s nationality.
The policy came into effect in January 2026 and affected nationals of 75 countries across Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Latin America and Eastern Europe. Nigeria was among the countries included in the restrictions.
The U.S. State Department had defended the measure on the grounds that applicants from the affected countries presented a greater likelihood of becoming a public charge. Under the policy, immigrant visa processing for people from the listed countries was effectively put on hold, disrupting family reunification and other legal immigration pathways.
The restrictions were challenged by immigrant advocacy organisations, including the Catholic Legal Immigration Network and African Communities Together, as well as visa applicants and U.S. citizens seeking to bring relatives to the United States.
In her ruling, Judge Vargas rejected the government’s position, concluding that the suspension conflicted with federal immigration law and went beyond the legal powers of the Secretary of State. The decision therefore removes the legal basis for the broad suspension affecting nationals of the 75 countries.
The ruling has been welcomed by immigration advocates, who say it could provide relief to families whose immigration plans were placed on hold. Nigerians pursuing family-sponsored immigrant visas and other lawful routes to permanent residence could particularly benefit if visa processing resumes as a result of the judgment.
The full impact of the decision will depend partly on how the Trump administration responds. The government could appeal the ruling, which may determine whether the judgment takes effect without further legal challenges. The State Department had not publicly announced its response at the time of this report.
For Nigerians who have spent months waiting for their immigrant visa applications to move forward, the court’s decision could represent a significant development. It may also signal a renewed opportunity for families separated by the visa suspension to continue pursuing legal immigration to the United States.
