India, Aug. 5 -- A federal judge has ruled that the Trump administration's policy freezing green card applications from nationals of 75 countries over concerns they could become dependent on public benefits is unlawful, marking a setback for the administration's immigration agenda.

In a memorandum opinion issued on July 31, US District Judge Amit Mehta of the District of Columbia held that the State Department's "public charge" policy exceeded the authority granted under the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA).

The policy, introduced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in January, had effectively stalled immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, including Nigeria, Colombia, Russia and Egypt.

The case was brought by Ne...