Visa Ban Lingers: Court Ruling Does Not End Delays for Thousands

In January, the Trump administration halted processing of immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries. The ban affected more than 280,000 applicants, including many spouses and minor children of U.S. citizens and permanent residents. A federal judge ordered the ban lifted in August, and the State Department now acknowledges that the restriction is no longer in effect. Nevertheless, the department has paused visa issuance while it conducts an extensive “training program” for embassies and consulates to screen for potential public-charge concerns. Families such as the Hoffmans and Dr. Fernando Lizcano remain abroad awaiting final approval.

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Although the court ruled the ban unlawful, the State Department’s continued pause creates a de-facto barrier: even applicants whose visas were already approved must undergo additional screening. Attorneys for migrants argue that the administration is slow-walking compliance with the court order, leaving green-card interviews and visa stamps effectively unavailable.

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Gloria Hoffman, who moved to Argentina with her husband Dustin Hoffman in 2013, says her daughter’s schooling and her stepson’s autism care are compromised by the delay. She and her husband, a U.S. Army veteran, are separated from their children, and Hoffman reports worsening mental health and increased psychiatric medication. Financial strain is acute; he works as an Uber driver while gas prices have risen sharply. Dr. Fernando Lizcano, a Colombian researcher qualified for an EB-1A “extraordinary ability” visa, remains in Bogotá awaiting the passport stamp, describing the situation as unfair.

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The State Department’s website confirms the ban’s removal but cites pending litigation as the reason for the ongoing pause. A former State Department consular officer, speaking off the record, said she had never seen such a substantial halt in visa processing and linked the pause to the administration’s broader immigration goals. Alexis Axelrad, president-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association, emphasizes that the technical removal of the ban has little practical effect while interviews and visa issuance remain stalled.

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• “My daughter is growing up and she's very smart and my stepson he's very smart,” — Gloria Hoffman — Gloria Hoffman, wife of Dustin Hoffman.

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• “So while technically the ban doesn't exist, it doesn't matter practically if people are still not being able to get their green card interviews or have their interviews not be finished and not get their immigrant visa stamps foils and be able to come into the United States,” — Alexis Axelrad, the president elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association — Alexis Axelrad, president-elect of the American Immigration Lawyers Association.

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• “My intention is to continue with my academic biomedical research in the United States,” — Dr. Fernando Lizcano — Dr. Fernando Lizcano, Colombian researcher.

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• “We're living on a dream and a prayer right now,” — Gloria Hoffman — Gloria Hoffman, wife of Dustin Hoffman.

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