A US federal judge has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries, including Pakistan. The ruling could affect applicants whose visa processing was halted under the policy.
US District Judge Jeannette Vargas in Manhattan issued the ruling on Friday. She found that the policy exceeded the authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio and described it as “patently unlawful.”
The judge said federal immigration law does not give the Secretary of State authority over decisions made by consular officers regarding immigrant visas. The ruling therefore challenges the legal basis used to suspend visa processing for applicants from the affected countries.
The policy was announced by the US State Department in January. It affected applicants from several regions, including Latin America, the Balkans, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean.
Pakistan and Bangladesh were among the South Asian countries included in the suspension. The policy had raised concerns among applicants and families waiting for immigrant visa processing in the United States.
The State Department had argued that applicants from the listed countries were considered at high risk of becoming a public charge. Officials said some applicants could potentially rely on government resources after entering the United States.
The latest ruling came in a lawsuit filed by immigrant rights groups and affected visa applicants. US citizens sponsoring family members from the countries included in the suspension also joined the legal challenge.
The case represents another legal challenge to the Trump administration’s immigration policies. President Donald Trump has pursued a tougher immigration approach, saying his measures are intended to strengthen domestic security and control immigration.
Immigrant rights groups have repeatedly challenged several administration policies. They have argued that some measures violate constitutional protections and create difficulties for immigrants and their families.
The ruling could provide relief to applicants from Pakistan and other affected countries whose immigrant visa processing was suspended under the policy. However, the practical impact of the decision will depend on how US authorities implement the court’s ruling.
The US State Department had not immediately commented on the decision. Further guidance from the department could clarify how immigrant visa applications from the affected countries will be handled following the ruling.
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