ISLAMABAD: A visiting Pakistani parliamentary delegation has, in a rare direct engagement with US legislators, raised concerns over Washington’s suspension of immigrant visa processing for Pakistani nationals, delegation members said on Monday.
The issue stems from a US State Department decision earlier this month to pause the issuance of immigrant visas for nationals from 75 countries, including Pakistan, effective Jan. 21.
The measure follows the revival of the so-called “public charge” policy under President Donald Trump’s administration, which allows US authorities to deny permanent residence to applicants deemed likely to rely on public welfare benefits. While applications and interviews are continuing, permanent residence visas are currently not being issued to Pakistani nationals.
“The main issue ... is that the visas, the immigrant visas have been stopped,” Senator Saleem H. Mandviwalla told a press conference in Washington on Monday. “This is something which was not very well received in Pakistan.”
Mandviwalla, the chief whip of Pakistan’s Senate, said he had discussed the issue with the US ambassador in Islamabad, Natalie Baker, before traveling to Washington, and confirmed that the matter was formally raised during meetings with American lawmakers also.
