A US federal judge on Friday, August 22, struck down the Trump administration's policy suspending immigration visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Afghanistan. Judge Janet Vargas of the Manhattan federal district court ruled the policy was "plainly unlawful" and contradicted US federal immigration law.
The State Department had announced in January 2026 that starting January 21, it would halt the issuance of immigration visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Afghanistan, Iran, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. The ruling came following a lawsuit filed by immigrant rights advocacy groups.
The ruling is significant for Afghans awaiting visas under US immigration programs, including the Special Immigrant Visa (SIV). However, it does not mean the immediate issuance of visas for all Afghan applicants, as each case must still meet its own legal requirements.
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