US lifts immigrant visa ban on Bangladesh
The United States has lifted its suspension on immigrant visa processing for citizens of Bangladesh and 74 other countries following a federal court ruling that struck down the policy introduced by the Donald Trump administration in January.
The US Department of State said the suspension was no longer in effect as of August 21.
The policy, which took effect on January 21, had suspended immigrant visa processing for applicants from Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal, Pakistan and dozens of other countries.
According to the State Department, the suspension was imposed while it reviewed its immigrant visa screening policy. The review was intended to ensure that immigrants would be able to support themselves financially and would not become dependent on the US government or improperly use public welfare benefits.
Applicants from the affected countries were still allowed to submit visa applications and attend interviews while the suspension was in place. With the suspension lifted, they can now proceed with their immigrant visa applications under normal procedures.
The move follows an August 21 ruling by the US District Court for the Southern District of New York in Manhattan, which struck down the Trump administration’s policy covering citizens of 75 countries.
Judge Janet Vargas found that the State Department’s January policy was “plainly unlawful” and contrary to federal immigration law.
The court also said existing law clearly limits the authority of the Secretary of State over consular officers handling immigrant visa applications. It found that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had exceeded his legal authority by adopting the policy.
The countries covered by the suspension included Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, the Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Myanmar, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Côte d’Ivoire, Cuba, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The 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, the 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.
Under the US visa system, immigrant visa applications are reviewed by officials at US embassies and consulates, who determine whether applicants meet the requirements for a visa.
