A group of New York residents and others across the US have filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, seeking to block its visa ban targeting 75 nations with predominantly nonwhite populations. The plaintiffs claim that the ban is based on racial stereotypes and hostility towards non-white immigrants.
The visa suspension, which has been in place for over a month, has put nearly half of all visa applications on hold, including some already approved. The plaintiffs argue that this policy is "baseless" and a pretext for limiting the immigration of nonwhites. They point to President Trump's history of disparaging immigrants from Latin American, Caribbean, African, and predominantly Muslim nations, which are well-represented among those on the visa-ban list.
The lawsuit alleges violations of administrative procedure, equal protection, and due process claims. It was filed by a coalition of groups, including the National Immigration Law Center, the Legal Aid Society, and the Center for Constitutional Rights. The plaintiffs include US citizens with relatives in countries such as Ghana, Jamaica, Guatemala, and Ethiopia who are "stuck" due to the visa ban.
One plaintiff, Agnes Kyeremaa, a New York City resident, is fighting to reunite with her four adult children and grandchildren from Ghana, all of whom have approved visas but had them revoked because of their country's inclusion on the list. Another plaintiff, Patricia Richardson, was also denied a visa for Jamaica due to its ban.
The plaintiffs are seeking a judge's declaration that the visa ban is unauthorized under US law and the Constitution, and they want the court to resume "case-by-case" consideration of visa applications. They also seek attorney fees and other relief as deemed just and proper by the court.
The visa suspension, which has been in place for over a month, has put nearly half of all visa applications on hold, including some already approved. The plaintiffs argue that this policy is "baseless" and a pretext for limiting the immigration of nonwhites. They point to President Trump's history of disparaging immigrants from Latin American, Caribbean, African, and predominantly Muslim nations, which are well-represented among those on the visa-ban list.
The lawsuit alleges violations of administrative procedure, equal protection, and due process claims. It was filed by a coalition of groups, including the National Immigration Law Center, the Legal Aid Society, and the Center for Constitutional Rights. The plaintiffs include US citizens with relatives in countries such as Ghana, Jamaica, Guatemala, and Ethiopia who are "stuck" due to the visa ban.
One plaintiff, Agnes Kyeremaa, a New York City resident, is fighting to reunite with her four adult children and grandchildren from Ghana, all of whom have approved visas but had them revoked because of their country's inclusion on the list. Another plaintiff, Patricia Richardson, was also denied a visa for Jamaica due to its ban.
The plaintiffs are seeking a judge's declaration that the visa ban is unauthorized under US law and the Constitution, and they want the court to resume "case-by-case" consideration of visa applications. They also seek attorney fees and other relief as deemed just and proper by the court.