WASHINGTON: A US federal court has blocked a Trump administration policy that suspended immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Russia.
The ruling removes a major barrier for applicants from the affected countries who had faced delays since the policy took effect in January.
Judge Declares Visa Policy Illegal
New York District Judge Janet Vargas struck down the policy during a hearing on Friday.
The judge ruled that the policy exceeded the legal authority of US Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
According to the court’s decision, the State Department policy introduced in January was unlawful and conflicted with federal immigration law.
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Immigrant Visa Processing Had Been Suspended
The Trump administration had suspended immigrant visa processing for citizens of the 75 countries in January.
US officials had argued that people from the affected countries could become a public burden after entering the United States.
The policy therefore prevented many applicants from progressing through the immigrant visa process.
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Immigration Rights Groups Challenged Policy
Immigration rights organizations brought the legal challenge against the US government.
The lawsuit argued against the administration’s decision to halt immigrant visa processing for nationals of the listed countries.
The court’s ruling now invalidates the policy.
State Department Has Not Commented
The US State Department had not immediately issued a response to the court’s decision.
The ruling could affect thousands of visa applicants who have faced uncertainty since the suspension began.
Applicants from countries such as Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Russia could now seek clarity on the next steps in their immigrant visa cases.
