Court order lifts visa ban but families remain stuck abroad awaiting approval

A federal judge in August ordered the removal of a Trump-imposed ban that halted immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, but the State Department has kept processing stalled. Applicants like Dustin Hoffman’s family, residing in Argentina, still lack the required visa stamps after being asked for more proof of financial self-sufficiency. Immigration attorneys argue the agency is effectively ignoring the court’s directive by delaying interviews and adding new screening steps.

The pause follows a newly launched training program aimed at identifying potential public-charge immigrants, a practice described as unprecedented by a former consular officer. Over 280,000 visa seekers were caught by the ban, including high-skill professionals such as Dr. Fernando Lizcano, whose EB-1A petition remains pending in Colombia. The continued backlog is taking an emotional and financial toll on families awaiting reunification.