The United States has lifted a suspension on issuing immigrant visas to citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh, following an order from a federal court.
The US Department of State said the suspension was no longer in effect from August 21.
The suspension had been introduced on January 21, temporarily halting immigrant visa processing for applicants from the affected countries. Besides Bangladesh, the list included Bhutan, Nepal and Pakistan, among many others.
According to the US Department of State, the suspension was introduced while the Trump administration reviewed its policies for screening immigrant visa applicants.
The review was aimed at determining whether prospective immigrants could remain financially self-sufficient and avoid becoming dependent on the US government or improperly accessing public welfare benefits.
During the suspension period, applicants from the affected countries could still submit visa applications and attend interviews.
With the suspension now lifted, applicants can proceed with immigrant visa applications under the regular procedures.
The decision followed a ruling by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan on August 21, which struck down the Trump administration’s policy suspending immigrant visa issuance for citizens of the 75 countries.
Judge Jeanette Vargas said the policy announced by the State Department in January was “clearly unlawful” and conflicted with federal immigration law.
The ruling also said existing law places clear limits on the Secretary of State’s authority over consular officers handling immigrant visa applications.
According to the court, Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his legal authority by adopting the policy.
Under the US visa system, applications are reviewed at US embassies and consulates, where designated consular officers determine whether an applicant qualifies for a visa.
The lifting of the suspension means applicants from the affected countries can now continue through the normal immigrant visa process. However, lifting the suspension does not guarantee visa approval.
The 75 countries included Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan and Yemen.
Source: Economic Times
