Major Lawsuit Challenges U.S. Visa Processing Pause for 75 Countries
In a major legal development making headlines across the U.S., the State Department’s decision to pause immigrant visa processing for citizens from 75 countries has triggered a growing legal backlash. Civil rights organizations, families, and immigration advocates are calling it a form of targeted discrimination, especially against countries in Africa, South Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East.
What Happened: The Visa Pause Explained
The U.S. State Department recently implemented a sweeping visa processing halt that affects immigrants from dozens of countries deemed "high-risk" under new internal guidelines. While the Department argues this is a temporary measure to tighten security and streamline background checks, critics are calling it a de facto travel ban without public oversight.
Countries Impacted Include:
Nigeria, Ghana, Sudan
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh
Haiti, Venezuela, El Salvador
Yemen, Syria, Iraq
…and many more from regions already grappling with humanitarian crises or political instability.
This decision has left thousands of families separated, with approved petitions now sitting in limbo — and no clear end date in sight.
Civil Rights Groups Sue the State Department
In response, a coalition of immigration lawyers and civil rights groups has filed a federal lawsuit against the U.S. government. The suit argues that:
The visa pause violates the Due Process Clause of the Constitution.
It disproportionately impacts Black, Brown, and Muslim-majority countries.
There was no public input or transparency in implementing the freeze.
Senator Marco Rubio has also been named in the lawsuit due to his vocal support of the order.
“This policy tears families apart and targets communities that have already faced discrimination under previous immigration bans,” one attorney involved in the case stated.
Real-World Impact: Families in Limbo
The visa freeze has halted not only new applications but also existing family reunification cases, spousal green card interviews, and employment-based immigrant petitions.
Many affected applicants have:
Spouses or children already in the U.S.
Approved immigrant petitions (I-130, I-140)
Cleared prior security vetting stages
Now, they're forced to wait indefinitely, with no clear legal recourse—unless they take proactive action.
