Civil rights groups have sued the Trump administration over the U.S. State Department’s decision to pause immigrant visa processing for citizens of 75 countries, arguing the policy violates long-standing immigration law.

Axar.az reports, citing Reuters, that the lawsuit, filed in a federal court in Manhattan, seeks to block the measure, which took effect on January 21.

Plaintiffs say the policy is based on an unfounded claim that applicants from the affected countries are likely to rely on U.S. welfare benefits. The State Department has defended the move, saying visas are a privilege, not a right, and that the pause is needed to review and strengthen screening and vetting procedures.

The suspension has affected applicants from Latin America, the Balkans, South Asia, Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, including people approved for employment-based visas and U.S. citizens separated from family members. Visitor visas are not affected.