The United States has reportedly suspended immigrant visa applications worldwide as the administration of President Donald Trump introduces tougher screening measures aimed at limiting the entry of applicants considered likely to depend on government assistance.
A US State Department official confirmed the development on Tuesday, saying American embassies and consulates began implementing the initiative in early August. According to reports, visa interview schedules have been adjusted to allow consular officers to undergo additional training on assessing applicants more thoroughly and consistently.
Applicants who had already secured interview dates were reportedly notified by email that their appointments had been cancelled, with new dates expected to be communicated later. However, it remains unclear when the affected interviews will be rescheduled.
The visa pause forms part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to tighten immigration rules. The administration has also introduced increased scrutiny of applicants, including reviews of social media histories and higher processing costs.
This development comes shortly after the administration announced plans to revoke visas held by some asylum seekers who initially entered the United States on tourist or business visas. Reports indicate that as many as 200,000 asylum seekers could be affected by the proposed action.
The administration is reportedly carrying out the visa measures in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, although several of its immigration policies have faced legal challenges in US courts.
An earlier attempt to restrict immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries on similar “public charge” grounds was recently overturned by a federal judge. Reacting to the ruling, Joanna Cuevas Ingram of the National Immigration Law Center said the decision made it clear that immigration laws could not be used to justify discrimination.
Immigration experts have also raised concerns about the impact of the latest pause on applicants who have spent significant amounts of money and made travel and personal arrangements for their scheduled interviews.
With no timeline yet announced for the rescheduling of cancelled appointments, many prospective immigrants are now facing renewed uncertainty over their plans to travel to or settle in the United States.