A federal judge in New York has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended visa processing for citizens of 75 nations, including Afghanistan, Iran, Russia, and Somalia, whose nationals were deemed likely to require public assistance in the United States.

U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas, appointed by President Joe Biden, set aside the policy Friday after ruling it "contrary to law and in excess of statutory authority."

The judge ruled Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his authority in issuing the policy, which "runs afoul" of the Immigration and Nationality Act by mandating "the refusal of visas to eligible applicants without any basis in law."

Vargas said the policy also undermines the congressional requirement that puts consular officers at the forefront of any visa decision.

"Congress imbued these officers with exclusive authority and discretion to determine if an immigrant is eligible for a visa based upon review of specific and detailed criteria set forth in the statute," she wrote.

"The Policy, which categorically prohibits the issuance of immigrant visas based upon the nationality of the applicant, represents a direct abrogation of this statutory scheme."

Two nonprofit organizations and 11 individuals, including six whose family members had been refused visas, challenged the policy. The remaining five are outside the country and had filed "employment-based petitions" to come to the United States.

"We welcome this ruling because, at its heart, this case is about keeping families together," said Anna Gallagher, executive director of CLINIC, a national nonprofit providing training, resources, and support to a network of immigration legal service providers and a plaintiff in the case.

"Catholic social teaching calls us to uphold the dignity of every person and recognize the family as the foundation of society," she said in a statement. "This decision affirms both those values and the rule of law, allowing families to once again move forward toward reunification."

Another plaintiff is African Communities Together, a Harlem-based nonprofit organization. One of its leaders described the court ruling as "a tremendous victory for the rule of law."

"This unlawful and racist ban caused immeasurable harm, cruelly keeping families and loved ones apart," Diana Konate, deputy executive director for policy and advocacy, said in a statement. "Today, we are elated to tell our community members: this ban is no more."