US judge blocks suspension of immigrant visas for 75 countries

A US federal judge has struck down a Trump administration policy suspending the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries, ruling that the measure exceeded the legal authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

US District Judge Jeannette Vargas in Manhattan ruled on August 21 that the policy announced by the State Department in January was unlawful and conflicted with federal immigration law, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

Vargas said the policy, which prevented immigrant visas from being issued based on applicants’ nationalities, was inconsistent with the statutory framework governing consular officers.

The suspension affected applicants from countries including Azerbaijan, Armenia, Georgia, as well as Belarus and Central Asian countries. The list also includes Brazil, Colombia and Uruguay in Latin America; Bosnia and Albania in the Balkans; Pakistan and Bangladesh in South Asia; as well as countries across Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean.

The State Department had said applicants from the affected countries were considered at high risk of becoming a public charge and relying on government resources in the United States. The department did not immediately comment on the ruling.

Vargas, who was appointed by former Democratic President Joe Biden, issued the decision in a lawsuit brought by immigrant rights groups, visa applicants and US citizens sponsoring family members from the affected countries.

President Donald Trump has pursued a broad immigration crackdown that his administration says is intended to strengthen domestic security. Rights groups have criticised the measures, arguing that they infringe on constitutional rights and have contributed to concerns over racial profiling.

By Sabina Mammadli