A federal judge on Friday struck down the Trump administration’s policy that suspended immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, effectively reinstating the ability for consular officers to evaluate visa applications under normal immigration laws.

U.S. District Judge Jeannette A. Vargas ruled that the policy, announced by the State Department in January, was contrary to law and exceeded the statutory authority of the Secretary. The directive had instructed U.S. embassies and consulates to halt immigrant visa adjudications while the State Department reassessed vetting procedures.

The State Department had stated in January that the pause was intended to prevent the entry of foreign nationals who might become reliant on public benefits. However, Judge Vargas found that the policy conflicted with federal immigration law, which grants consular officers the exclusive authority to determine an immigrant's eligibility for a visa.

"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," Vargas wrote in her decision. The judge's order also vacates any visa denials that were solely based on this policy.

The Catholic Legal Immigration Network Inc., which filed the lawsuit challenging the ban, welcomed the ruling. Anna Gallagher, the organization's executive director, stated that the suspension of lawful visa processing had separated families who were following legal immigration procedures.

Gallagher added that Catholic social teaching emphasizes the dignity of every person and the importance of family. "Today's decision affirms both those values and the rule of law, allowing families to once again move forward toward reunification," she said.

When the policy was initially announced, a State Department spokesman defended the measure, stating it was aimed at "ending the abuse of America’s immigration system by those who would extract wealth from the American people." The spokesman added that the department would utilize its existing authority to deem ineligible potential immigrants who posed a risk of becoming a public charge.

The State Department has not yet responded to requests for comment from ABC News, and it has not indicated whether it plans to appeal the judge's decision. The ruling means that visa applications from the affected countries will now be subject to the discretion of consular officers, who will evaluate them based on established immigration laws rather than a blanket nationality-based suspension.