WASHINGTON: A US federal judge has struck down the Trump administration’s policy of suspending immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Russia, according to news agency reports.
US District Judge Sparkle Sooknanan in New York ruled that the policy exceeded Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s legal authority and conflicted with federal immigration law.
The judge said the policy, introduced in January, was unlawful and could not be used to halt immigrant visa processing for applicants from the affected countries.
The policy had suspended immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries based on concerns that applicants could become a “public charge” in the United States, according to the State Department.
The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by immigrant rights organizations challenging the policy.
The State Department had not immediately commented on the court’s decision.
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Earlier, The Trump administration has announced a suspension of immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries, including Pakistan. The U.S. State Department has not provided detailed explanations for the move, which was first reported by Fox News, citing a department memo.
The list of affected countries reportedly includes Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Bangladesh, Cuba, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Russia, Somalia, Pakistan, and many others.
According to CNN, the freeze applies only to immigrant visas, such as those for employment or family reunification. Non-immigrant visas, including student and tourist visas, are not affected, meaning travelers for events like this summer’s U.S. World Cup would not face restrictions.
The visa suspension is set to begin on January 21. U.S. embassies have been instructed to deny visas under existing law while the State Department reassesses immigration procedures. No end date for the freeze was provided.
