US Court Lifts Visa Ban for Citizens from 75 Countries, Including Russia

A federal court in the US has declared the State Department's decision to suspend the issuance of immigration visas to applicants from 75 countries, including Russia, as unlawful. This was reported by Reuters, citing the relevant ruling.

According to the ruling from the judge at the Manhattan District Court, the State Department's policy was deemed "manifestly illegal." It was noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio overstepped his authority by prohibiting visa issuance solely based on the nationality of the applicants.

The court clarified that such measures are not legally permissible and thus rejected the State Department's orders. This underscores the necessity for a proper legal basis for such decisions that affect residents from different countries.

The ruling effectively ends the restrictions introduced in January 2026 and allows citizens who were previously affected by these measures to reapply for visas. The decision is seen as a significant victory for advocates fighting for immigrants' rights.