US court overturns Trump policy suspending immigrant visas for 75 countries, including Bangladesh

A New York federal judge has overturned the Trump administration’s policy suspending immigrant visa issuance to citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh. In a ruling on Friday, Manhattan federal judge Jeannette Vargas said the policy was “clearly unlawful” and conflicted with federal immigration law.

Judge Vargas said the blanket suspension of immigrant visas based on nationality directly violated the existing legal framework. She also ruled that the US secretary of state does not have such broad authority over consular officers’ consideration of immigrant visa applications.

Vargas issued the ruling in a case brought by immigrant rights groups, several immigrant visa applicants and US citizens seeking to bring family members from the affected countries.

The policy, which took effect in January, suspended immigrant visa issuance to citizens of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Brazil, Colombia, Uruguay, Bosnia and Albania, among others across Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean.

The US State Department had argued that applicants from these countries were more likely to depend on government assistance and public services after entering the US. The court rejected the argument, saying the policy conflicted with the immigration framework established by Congress.

Trump has introduced several tougher immigration measures during his second term, including travel restrictions, visa suspensions and restrictions on the diversity visa programme. His administration says the measures aim to strengthen national security and tighten immigration controls.

Immigrant rights groups have criticised the policies, saying nationality-based restrictions are discriminatory and undermine immigrants’ legal rights.

The State Department has not yet commented on the ruling, and it remains unclear whether the administration will appeal.

If the ruling remains in effect, it could open new opportunities for immigrant visa applicants from Bangladesh and the other affected countries. However, the practical impact will depend on the administration’s next steps.