Pakistanis get relief as US visa policy overturned
A US federal judge has struck down a State Department policy that suspended immigrant visa processing for applicants from Pakistan and 74 other countries.
US District Judge Jeannette Vargas issued the ruling in Manhattan, finding that the policy exceeded the legal authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The State Department had introduced the suspension in January, preventing consular officials from issuing immigrant visas to applicants based solely on their nationality.
Judge Vargas described the policy as unlawful and said it conflicted with federal immigration law. She ruled that the law does not give the Secretary of State the authority to impose a blanket suspension on immigrant visa issuance based on an applicant’s nationality.
The policy affected applicants from a wide range of countries, including Pakistan and Bangladesh in South Asia. Several countries in Latin America, the Balkans, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean were also included.
US authorities had defended the measure by arguing that applicants from the listed countries were considered more likely to become dependent on government-funded assistance after entering the United States.
The ruling came in a case brought by immigrant rights organisations, visa applicants and US citizens sponsoring family members from the affected countries.
The plaintiffs challenged the State Department’s decision, arguing that the blanket suspension unlawfully restricted access to the immigrant visa process.
The decision represents a legal setback for the Trump administration, which has pursued tougher immigration policies since returning to office.
The administration has said its immigration measures are intended to strengthen national security and reduce pressure on public resources.
Immigrant rights groups, however, have criticised several aspects of the crackdown. They have raised concerns about due process, discrimination and the treatment of ethnic minorities.
The State Department had not immediately issued a response to the judge’s decision.
