WASHINGTON – A US federal court has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended the processing of immigrant visa applications for citizens of 75 countries, including Pakistan, Bangladesh, Iran and Russia.
A New York district judge ruled that the policy, introduced in January, exceeded Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s legal authority and conflicted with federal immigration law.
The court declared the policy unlawful, rejecting the administration’s decision to halt immigrant visa processing for nationals of the affected countries.
The ruling came in a lawsuit filed by immigrant rights organisations challenging the policy.
The US State Department had argued that applicants from the affected countries could potentially become a public burden on the United States.
The immigrant visa processing for citizens of the 75 countries had remained suspended since January.
The State Department has not yet commented on the court’s decision.
Get US Visa Interview in just 10 Days with New Fast-Track Service; Full Guide
