A US federal judge ruled on August 21, 2026, that former President Donald Trump’s freeze on visa processing for citizens of 75 countries was unlawful. The policy, enacted in January, aimed to halt the path to permanent residency in the United States for individuals from the specified nations. This decision represents another setback for Trump’s administration’s restrictive immigration policies. The judge found the freeze to be legally unsound, though details of the ruling’s reasoning weren't immediately available. This development will likely lead to the resumption of visa processing for those affected. It also signals potential for further legal challenges to the former president’s immigration efforts. The ruling is expected to impact thousands of applicants awaiting decisions on their residency applications.