Washington, Jan 15 (NationPress) Prominent Democrats have strongly condemned the move by the Trump administration to suspend the processing of immigrant visas for individuals from 75 nations, labeling the action as discriminatory, detrimental to families, and damaging to the economic and moral fabric of the United States.

Senator Edward J. Markey from Massachusetts criticized the State Department's decision, asserting that it represented a broad ban that would sever family ties and negatively impact states reliant on immigrants for education and economic development.

“The State Department’s inhumane decision to prohibit immigrant visa applicants from 75 nations is a failure on economic, moral, and security fronts,” Markey stated.

He emphasized that this move would impact families in Massachusetts and nationwide, disrupt universities and businesses that thrive on international students and workers, and tarnish the United States’ reputation as a welcoming destination for immigrants.

Markey called on the State Department to reverse this decision and recommence visa processing.

Senate Democratic Whip Dick Durbin from Illinois voiced a more extensive denunciation on the Senate floor, accusing the administration of effectively terminating legal immigration under the guise of addressing security concerns.

“What they have done is essentially halt legal immigration from a long list of nations, many of which have predominantly non-white populations,” Durbin stated. “This was their true intention all along.”

Durbin pointed out that resources have been redirected from core law enforcement and national security priorities to target immigrants who are legally residing in the United States. He referenced enforcement actions in cities like Chicago and Minneapolis, stating that the crackdown was aimed at individuals who complied with immigration regulations.

In his remarks, Durbin connected the visa freeze to a broader array of immigration policies, including travel bans, the cessation of refugee and asylum procedures, the termination of the Diversity Visa program, and the ending of Temporary Protected Status for countries that remain unsafe, such as Afghanistan and Somalia.

“Many of these visa applicants fought alongside American forces against the Taliban,” Durbin noted, referring to Afghan nationals. He accused President Trump of abandoning these allies and expanding immigration restrictions to include individuals already residing in the U.S. or born in affected nations.

Durbin also highlighted reports from his office indicating that the policy has disrupted adoptions and delayed green card interviews and citizenship ceremonies. “Immigrants have seen their long-scheduled green card interviews canceled,” he remarked, adding that candidates approved for naturalization were barred from taking their oath.

Representative Pramila Jayapal of Washington, the leading Democrat on the House Immigration Integrity, Security, and Enforcement Subcommittee, also criticized the visa suspension, asserting that it would disproportionately impact family-based immigration.

“Today’s announcement will primarily affect and target family immigration, which includes individuals married to U.S. citizens,” Jayapal stated. She noted that affected families had adhered to the law and waited years in backlogs, only to see the process come to a halt. “This shocking new policy will keep families apart indefinitely. It must be promptly reversed.”

The administration has stated that the pause aims to facilitate a reassessment of screening protocols to prevent immigrants from becoming a public burden or posing security risks. Critics, however, contend that the decision constitutes a comprehensive shutdown of legal immigration from much of the developing world.

Durbin concluded his Senate remarks by recalling his own family’s immigration journey, asserting that the United States should not forsake those who have followed legal channels. “We are a nation of immigrants,” he declared. “We must never forget that.”