Brazilian Family Wins Lawsuit Against U.S. Immigration Policy - 28/08/2026 - World - Folha de S.Paulo

A Brazilian family, the Moura Gomes, won a legal battle in the U.S. against a decision by Secretary of State Marco Rubio that suspended the issuance of green cards to citizens of 75 countries, including Brazil.

Businessman Newton de Moura Gomes, his wife, Marcia, and their two daughters had their application under the EB-5 program —which grants green cards to investors— approved, but the process was halted in January under the justification of a "public charge policy." The family had invested $500,000 in a hotel in Arizona.

The case had an additional complication: Newton was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in 2014, which should have entitled him to "expedited review," but this did not happen.

A federal judge ruled that Rubio exceeded his authority by "controlling decisions on individual visa applications," in violation of U.S. immigration law, and set a two-month deadline for the green cards to be issued.

Although the ruling applies only to this case, the precedent could be used by other people affected by similar measures. The U.S. government did not appeal the decision.