New York City Residents, Others Sue to Block Visa Ban Targeting 75 Nations
A group of US citizens, including those with family ties to countries like Ghana, Jamaica, Guatemala, and Ethiopia, have filed a lawsuit in federal court to halt the Trump administration's visa ban targeting nationals from 75 countries. The ban, which was announced last month, has placed nearly half of all visa applications on hold, including some already approved.
The plaintiffs argue that the policy is based on racial stereotypes and hostility towards nonwhite immigrants. They claim that the administration's claims about the risks of public charges are "unsupported and demonstrably false" and that the ban is a pretext for limiting the immigration of nonwhites.
The lawsuit points to President Trump's history of disparaging immigrants from Latin American, Caribbean, African, and predominantly Muslim nations as evidence of the administration's motivations. The plaintiffs also cite the president's preference for white immigrants from countries like Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
"Africans seeking to immigrate to the United States are being disproportionately harmed by this policy," said Diana Konate, deputy executive director of policy and advocacy at African Communities Together. "It is yet another unlawful and racist policy from the Trump administration."
The visa ban was announced by the Department of State in a social media post, stating that it would pause immigrant visa processing for countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at "unacceptable rates." However, the plaintiffs argue that this claim is also baseless and ignores the fact that many immigrants are self-sufficient and contribute to their communities through work.
The lawsuit seeks to block the administration's actions and resume "case-by-case" consideration of visa applications. It also asks for attorney fees and other relief. The case is the latest in a string of legal challenges to the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration.
Among those suing are Agnes Kyeremaa, a US citizen from New York City who petitioned on behalf of her four adult sons and daughters and grandchildren, all nationals and residents of Ghana; Patricia Richardson, a US citizen from the Bronx who petitioned on behalf of her sister, a national and resident of Jamaica; and Cesar Andred Aguirre, a US citizen who lives in Suffolk County, New York, who is seeking to be reunited with his Guatemalan wife.
The plaintiffs argue that they have never relied on government aid or been institutionalized, but rather live, work, shop, and pay taxes in the United States like any other law-abiding citizen.
A group of US citizens, including those with family ties to countries like Ghana, Jamaica, Guatemala, and Ethiopia, have filed a lawsuit in federal court to halt the Trump administration's visa ban targeting nationals from 75 countries. The ban, which was announced last month, has placed nearly half of all visa applications on hold, including some already approved.
The plaintiffs argue that the policy is based on racial stereotypes and hostility towards nonwhite immigrants. They claim that the administration's claims about the risks of public charges are "unsupported and demonstrably false" and that the ban is a pretext for limiting the immigration of nonwhites.
The lawsuit points to President Trump's history of disparaging immigrants from Latin American, Caribbean, African, and predominantly Muslim nations as evidence of the administration's motivations. The plaintiffs also cite the president's preference for white immigrants from countries like Denmark, Norway, and Sweden.
"Africans seeking to immigrate to the United States are being disproportionately harmed by this policy," said Diana Konate, deputy executive director of policy and advocacy at African Communities Together. "It is yet another unlawful and racist policy from the Trump administration."
The visa ban was announced by the Department of State in a social media post, stating that it would pause immigrant visa processing for countries whose migrants take welfare from the American people at "unacceptable rates." However, the plaintiffs argue that this claim is also baseless and ignores the fact that many immigrants are self-sufficient and contribute to their communities through work.
The lawsuit seeks to block the administration's actions and resume "case-by-case" consideration of visa applications. It also asks for attorney fees and other relief. The case is the latest in a string of legal challenges to the Trump administration's crackdown on immigration.
Among those suing are Agnes Kyeremaa, a US citizen from New York City who petitioned on behalf of her four adult sons and daughters and grandchildren, all nationals and residents of Ghana; Patricia Richardson, a US citizen from the Bronx who petitioned on behalf of her sister, a national and resident of Jamaica; and Cesar Andred Aguirre, a US citizen who lives in Suffolk County, New York, who is seeking to be reunited with his Guatemalan wife.
The plaintiffs argue that they have never relied on government aid or been institutionalized, but rather live, work, shop, and pay taxes in the United States like any other law-abiding citizen.
this policy is just another example of how some people think they can control who gets to come into the country based on their skin color. I mean, come on, it's not like immigrants are coming here with nothing - they're actually contributing to our economy and society through work. It's not fair that they would be unfairly targeted because of their nationality.
. Like, what's next? Banning people with dark hair from wearing black pants? 
But seriously, folks, this whole thing sounds like a big ol' mess. I mean, who do these politicians think they are, playing around with people's lives like it's a game of "visa poker"? 
But hey, I guess it's easier to blame the "other guy" than face the real issues at hand. 
and the fact that ppl from non-white countries are being disproportionately affected is just heartbreaking 
can we please talk about how messed up our immigration system is?! 
and what's with the whole "taking welfare" thing? that's not even a real concern... most immigrants are contributing members of society, not drain on public resources 
This is exactly what we need more of, not less. And can you believe the administration is claiming that Africans take welfare from Americans? That's like saying everyone in Ghana is stealing your avocado 
The plaintiffs are right on point, it's all about targeting nonwhite immigrants who are just trying to make a better life for themselves. And the fact that the administration is prioritizing white immigrants from Europe is just another layer of racist undertones 
Let's get this lawsuit moving and make some real change! 
The whole thing is a bit of a mess, right? I mean, on one hand, you've got to be careful about welfare abuse and all that, but it seems super unfair to target 75 nations with a blanket ban 
. We're all about freedom and opportunity, but it looks like this ban is more about restriction than progress 
. What's next, eh? 
. The plaintiffs are right, it's based on racial stereotypes and hostility towards nonwhite immigrants. It's like, we're a country of immigrants, but now we're treating those from certain countries unfairly? 
. Most immigrants work hard to pay their own way, they're not taking welfare from us 
. And what's with the weird claim that some countries take "unacceptable rates" of welfare? Who decides what's acceptable? 
, and I hope it gets overturned soon 
. We should be welcoming people from all over the world who want to live in the US, not treating them like second-class citizens 
.
. It's not like the admin's gonna start kicking people out willy-nilly... or is it? 
. I got a cousin who's from Ghana and she's always been super responsible with her finances, never took a handout from anyone 
. It's just a bunch of xenophobic BS 
. The fact that they're targeting specific countries where the population is majority black or brown is just racist 
. I'm so tired of the Trump admin trying to divide us with their hate speech 
. Can you imagine if this was happening to white people from Norway or Denmark? No one would even think about it 
, maybe we can finally get some justice for all these innocent ppl 
this ban is straight outta racist playbook 
we can't just turn a blind eye to the fact that people from certain countries are being targeted based on their skin color and where they're from it's not about welfare, it's about xenophobia plain & simple 
as a huge fan of Barack Obama's legacy, i know trump is all about hate towards ppl from darker skin countries 
we should be welcoming ppl from all over the world to our shores not making them feel unwelcome because of their skin color 
it's ridiculous that they have to take matters into their own hands like this, shouldn't they be able to trust the system? 
idk why but i just feel like getting something fast rn anyway back to this visa ban thingy i'm kinda confused is it really fair to say that people from certain countries are more likely to take welfare than others? i mean my friend's cousin is from mexico and he's always working multiple jobs 
IT'S LIKE THEY THINK PEOPLE FROM OTHER COUNTRIES ARE GOING TO JUST SHOW UP ON OUR DOORS AND TAKE ALL THE JOBS! 
. These people suing the government have some legit points too 
. I've got friends who are immigrants and they're all law-abiding citizens, paying their taxes and contributing to society in their own way 
It's like they're painting everyone from Ghana to Guatemala with the same brush, and that's just not fair 
. The plaintiffs' claim about racial stereotypes and hostility towards nonwhite immigrants seems spot on 
. I mean, can't we all just get along and work together as a global community? 
. The fact that President Trump has a history of disparaging certain immigrant groups is definitely worth considering 
️ My cousin's partner is from Guatemala and she's an amazing person who works so hard every day just to provide for her family. And now, because of this ridiculous ban, she's stuck in a country that doesn't even feel like home to her? 
. I mean, I have some friends from Ghana and Jamaica who are super nice people, they've worked hard to make a life for themselves here, but because of their nationality, they get targeted? It's just not right