US halts visa appointments globally amid Trump immigration crackdown

The United States has paused visa appointment scheduling worldwide as the Trump administration rolls out a global training program for its consular officers. This initiative is part of a wider immigration crackdown.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department confirmed the training initiative is underway at all U.S. embassies and consulates globally. Visa appointment schedules are being adjusted to accommodate the training, though the department did not specify its duration or provide further details. The program's stated goal is to assist consular officers in screening applicants who may become dependent on U.S. public benefits and to ensure visa applications are evaluated "comprehensively and consistently."

Immigrant visa applicants who had scheduled interviews have reportedly received emails informing them of rescheduled appointments and that new dates will be communicated. This development coincides with the administration's ongoing efforts to tighten immigration policies. These efforts include revoking visas and green cards and rejecting applications based on various grounds, such as political opinions or participation in pro-Palestinian protests, which President Trump claims are necessary for domestic security.

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Visa appointment schedules will be adjusted to accommodate the training.

The administration's immigration policies have faced legal challenges. A U.S. judge recently overturned a policy that suspended immigrant visas for applicants from 75 countries, ruling it exceeded the secretary of state's authority. Additionally, the Department of Homeland Security has proposed making a significant fee increase permanent for new H-1B visa petitions, potentially raising costs for employers hiring foreign workers in specialized fields.

Further tightening measures include enhanced vetting for H-1B applicants and proposed changes to the visa selection process favoring higher-skilled, better-paid workers. The administration is also preparing to revoke business and tourism visas for potentially up to 200,000 foreigners currently seeking asylum in the U.S., a move expected in the coming weeks.

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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".