Trump administration pauses US visa appointments worldwide amid sweeping immigration crackdown
The Trump administration has paused visa appointments for applicants worldwide as part of its ongoing immigration crackdown.
A State Department spokesperson said Tuesday that the department has launched a global training initiative at US embassies and consulates, and visa appointments will be adjusted to accommodate the training.
The administration has pursued an aggressive deportation drive and immigration crackdown that includes revoking visas and green cards and rejecting applications over various reasons, including political opinions and pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s war with Hamas. Trump says the effort is aimed at improving domestic security.
The crackdown has faced legal setbacks. A US judge Friday struck down a policy suspending immigrant visa issuance to applicants from 75 countries, ruling that Secretary of State Marco Rubio exceeded his statutory authority.
The State Department did not provide details on the training or its timeline, saying it is intended to help consular officers screen applicants likely to become dependent on US public benefits and evaluate applicants “comprehensively and consistently.”
Immigrant visa applicants with scheduled interviews have reportedly been receiving emails saying their appointments were being rescheduled.
Human rights groups have condemned the crackdown as discriminatory and violating free speech and due process, while warning it has created an unsafe environment for minorities concerned about racial profiling.
Although Trump campaigned on stopping illegal immigration, his administration has also made legal immigration more difficult, including through new, costly fees for certain work visa applicants.
