U.S. Immigrant Visas Still Stalled After Court Lifts Ban on 75 Countries

Thousands of immigrant visa applicants from 75 countries are still waiting abroad even though a federal judge ordered the Trump administration's ban on their visa processing lifted in August. Attorneys for migrants say the State Department is not complying with the court order, while the department says the matter is in litigation.

Key facts

• The Trump administration banned processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries in January.
• More than 280,000 immigrants who had already applied for visas were affected when the policy took effect.
• A federal judge ordered the ban lifted in August.
• Colombia is among the countries on the list.
• Some applicants already had visas approved and were only waiting for the physical visa to be delivered.

What was the ban?

In January, the Trump administration stopped the processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, according to the details of the policy described in this report. Many of those affected were already part-way through the process. Some had already been approved and were simply waiting for the physical visa to be issued to them.

An analysis by the Cato Institute found the ban covered thousands of close family members of U.S. citizens and permanent residents, including spouses and minor children. The institute described it as "one of the most extreme legal immigration policies in U.S. history."

Who is still waiting?

Colombia is one of the 75 countries on the list. One Colombian national, Dr. Fernando Lizcano, was found qualified by U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services for an EB-1A visa — the category reserved for immigrants of extraordinary ability, including an outstanding professor or researcher. With that step complete, only the visa application and passport stamping remained, but he is still in Colombia waiting for the State Department's final approval.

Another affected family includes Gloria Hoffman, a Colombian national, whose husband, a U.S. Army veteran, lives in Argentina with her and their children. The family began the paperwork late last year, and the visas are still being processed.

Why has processing not resumed?

The State Department told NPR in August it had paused visa processing while it launched an in-depth training program for embassies and consulates on identifying immigrants who could become a burden on taxpayers — a public charge. That means even immigrants with approved visas must undergo additional screening.

The department said on its website that the ban is no longer in effect because of the court ruling, but declined to comment further, saying the matter is subject to pending litigation. A former State Department consular officer, who was not named, said a pause of this size is uncommon. Lawyers for migrants say the department is slow-walking cases instead of following the court order, leaving applicants without completed interviews or visa stamps.

What this means for travellers

Nationals of the 75 listed countries applying for U.S. immigrant visas should expect continued delays, extra evidence requests and additional screening even where a visa has already been approved. Applicants can follow updates on the State Department's visa newsroom page, and those with pending cases may be asked to show they can support themselves without becoming a public charge.

No timeline for a return to normal processing has been announced. The litigation remains pending, and families affected say they remain separated while they wait.