US Judge Slams Foot-dragging on Scholar Visa

"The government has failed to adjudicate Ramadan's pending B-visa application within a reasonable period of time," Judge Paul Crotty, Reuters reported.

Ramadan, one of Europe's best known Muslim intellectuals, has been barred from entering the US since 2004 after his visa was revoked by authorities.

He applied for a non-immigrant visa in September last year, but US officials have stalled on deciding his request, citing national security concerns.

Judge Crotty said the US government explanations on delaying a decision on the visa application was "less than convincing".

"If the government has a legitimate and bona fide reason for excluding Ramadan, then it may exclude him," he said.

"But it must do so by acting on the pending visa application, not by studying Ramadan's application indefinitely."

Heather Tasker, a spokeswoman for the US Attorney's Office, said the government was reviewing the decision.

The lawsuit was brought by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) on behalf of the American Academy of Religion, the American Association of University Professors and PEN American Center -- all of which had invited Ramadan as a guest speaker.

Fishing

The federal judge mocked the administration's procrastination in processing the visa application.

"Perhaps the delay is caused by the government's hope of 'possible future statements by Mr. Ramadan' that might justify exclusion," he said.

"But in waiting, the government does a disservice not only to Ramadan, but also to the visa application process and to the plaintiff's First Amendment rights," averred the judge.

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