A U.S. federal judge has blocked the US immigrant visa suspension affecting applicants from 75 countries, including Pakistan. The ruling challenges a Trump administration policy that halted immigrant visa processing for people from the designated nations.
U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas issued the decision on Friday in Manhattan. She said the policy exceeded the legal authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
US Immigrant Visa Suspension Affects Pakistan
The State Department introduced the US immigrant visa suspension in January. The policy affected applicants from Pakistan, Bangladesh, Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay.
It also covered countries across Africa, the Middle East, the Caribbean and the Balkans. As a result, thousands of immigrant visa applicants faced delays.
The State Department defended the policy on financial grounds. Officials said applicants from the affected countries faced a higher risk of becoming a public charge.
However, Judge Vargas rejected the government’s broad approach. She said federal immigration law does not allow the secretary of state to stop immigrant visa processing based only on nationality.
Judge Blocks US Immigrant Visa Suspension
Vargas called the policy unlawful. In addition, she said it conflicted with federal immigration law.
The judge noted that Congress had limited the secretary of state’s authority over consular officers who process immigrant visas.
Therefore, the court ruled against the administration’s attempt to suspend immigrant visa issuance for applicants from entire countries.
The decision followed a lawsuit filed by immigrant rights groups, visa applicants and U.S. citizens sponsoring family members.
Immigrant Groups Challenge Visa Policy
The Catholic Legal Immigration Network and African Communities Together filed the lawsuit. Several immigrant visa applicants also joined the case.
In addition, U.S. citizens who wanted to sponsor relatives from the affected countries challenged the policy.
Vargas received her federal judicial appointment from former President Joe Biden. She ultimately ruled in favor of the groups and applicants challenging the suspension.
Trump Immigration Policy Faces Legal Challenge
President Donald Trump has made immigration enforcement a major priority of his administration. Officials say the measures aim to strengthen national security and tighten immigration controls.
However, immigrant rights groups have opposed several of the administration’s policies. They argue that some measures threaten due process and free speech protections.
Meanwhile, the latest ruling could provide relief for applicants from the 75 affected countries. Pakistan is among the countries that could benefit from the decision.
As a result, the ruling could have an important impact on families waiting for immigrant visas. Further legal challenges may also follow as the administration continues to defend its immigration policies.
