Federal Judge Overturns Immigrant Visa Ban Affecting 75 Countries

A U.S. District Judge has invalidated a controversial policy from the Trump administration that halted immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 nations, including Pakistan.

Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled that the policy, announced in January by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, was "patently unlawful," exceeding the statutory authority granted to the secretary. She emphasized that the policy’s blanket restriction based on nationality directly contradicted federal immigration law.

The suspension affected many countries, including those in South Asia, Latin America, and the Balkans, with the State Department citing concerns about applicants becoming public charges. This decision followed a lawsuit from immigrant rights organizations and individuals impacted by the visa ban.

Source: www.dawn.com