US halts visa appointments globally amid Donald Trump’s immigration crackdown

Visa appointment schedules will be adjusted to accommodate the training

Visa appointment schedules will be adjusted to accommodate the training, the spokesperson said, according to Reuters. It said the programme was aimed at helping consular officers screen applicants who could potentially become dependent on US public benefits and ensure that visa applications are evaluated “comprehensively and consistently”. Immigrant visa applicants with scheduled interviews at US embassies and consulates had received emails informing them that their appointments were being rescheduled and that they would be notified of new dates, according to a Financial Times report. Trump has said the crackdown is intended to improve domestic security.

The US has paused visa appointments for applicants around the world as the Trump administration launches a global training programme for consular officers amid its broader immigration crackdown. The development comes as President Donald Trump’s administration continues a broad immigration crackdown that has included visa and green-card revocations and the rejection of applications on various grounds, including political opinions and participation in pro-Palestinian protests. A US State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday that the department had begun a training initiative at all US embassies and consulates worldwide.

A US judge on Friday struck down a policy that suspended the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries, ruling that the measure exceeded secretary of state Marco Rubio’s statutory authority. Earlier reporting noted: A US State Department spokesperson stated that the department had launched a global training initiative across all US embassies and consulates worldwide, adding that visa service appointments will be adjusted to accommodate the training, according to the report. Earlier reporting noted: The department noted that the training initiative was launched this month across US diplomatic missions globally to strengthen the manner in which officers assess visa applications.

The administration’s immigration policies have also faced legal setbacks. The administration has also moved to tighten restrictions on legal immigration. Earlier reporting noted: US pauses visa appointments worldwide amid Trump’s immigration crackdown: Report The US has paused visa appointments for applicants worldwide as President Donald Trump steps up his immigration crackdown during his second term in the White House, Reuters reported on Tuesday (local time).