A US federal judge has struck down a Trump administration policy that suspended immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries, including Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan, reports Al Jazeera.
US District Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled on Friday that the policy was “patently unlawful”, finding that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had exceeded his statutory authority by imposing a nationality-based suspension on immigrant visas.
The ruling is particularly significant for South Asia, where applicants from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan and Afghanistan were among those affected by the suspension introduced earlier this year. India, Sri Lanka and the Maldives were not included in the 75-country list.
The State Department policy took effect on January 21, 2026, pausing immigrant visa issuance for nationals of the designated countries while authorities reviewed whether applicants were at high risk of becoming dependent on US public benefits.
President Donald Trump has pursued an aggressive immigration crackdown during his presidency that he argues is aimed at improving domestic security. According to the Center for Constitutional Rights, the freeze was one of several restrictions the administration has imposed in rapid succession, following a broader travel ban covering 39 countries that took effect January 1, and a pause on diversity visa issuance in late December.
Rights groups have suggested that the crackdown violates free speech and due process rights, particularly for minorities, who have raised concerns about racial profiling.
The State Department has not yet commented on the ruling.
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