Federal Judge Strikes Down Suspension of Migrant Visas for 75 Countries Including Myanmar

A federal district court in Manhattan, New York, has struck down the Trump administration's policy suspending the issuance of immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries, including Myanmar.

Manhattan-based federal district judge Janet Vargas ruled that the visa suspension policy issued by the U.S. State Department exceeded the legal authority granted to Secretary of State Marco Rubio and violated federal immigration law.

The policy, which took effect last January, directly impacted visa applicants from 75 countries, including Myanmar, as well as Latin America, the Balkans, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean region.

The State Department had cited concerns that immigrant visa applicants from those countries might become overly dependent on government welfare and public financial assistance upon arriving in the United States. The department has not yet responded immediately to the federal district court's ruling.

The case was heard by federal district judge Janet Vargas, who was appointed by former President Joe Biden. The lawsuit was jointly filed by immigrant rights organizations, visa applicants, and U.S. citizens sponsoring visas for their family members.

While President Trump has stated that he is tightening immigration policies with the aim of enhancing domestic security, human rights activists have criticized these measures as violating freedom of expression and the right to due process under the law, and creating an unsafe environment, particularly for minority groups who may face racial discrimination.

Ref & Photo; Reuters