State Department Improperly Halted Visa Processing, Court Finds

The U.S. State Department improperly relied on a series of White House pandemic proclamations to suspend visa adjudication for people in certain countries, a Washington federal judge found Tuesday.

The agency in April 2021 interpreted proclamations by the administrations of President Joe Biden and former President Donald Trump as placing restrictions on visa awards and entry to the U.S. for individuals in China, Iran, Brazil, the United Kingdom, Ireland, South Africa, and 26 European countries.

More than 180 people seeking immigrant and non-immigrant visas filed suit that month, along with U.S. petitioners and several American companies and associations, arguing ...