The administration of US President Donald Trump has paused visa appointments for applicants worldwide as part of a global training initiative for consular officers, amid a broader immigration crackdown.
A US State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday that the department had launched training at all US embassies and consulates, and visa appointments would be adjusted to accommodate the initiative.
The department did not provide details about the training or say how long it would last. It said the program was aimed at helping consular officers screen applicants more effectively and ensure visa applications were evaluated “comprehensively and consistently."
The training will also focus on assessing whether applicants are likely to become dependent on US public benefits.
The Financial Times earlier reported that some immigrant visa applicants with scheduled interviews had received emails informing them that their appointments were being rescheduled and that new dates would be provided later.
The move comes as Trump continues to pursue an aggressive immigration crackdown during his second term in office.
His administration has revoked visas and green cards and rejected applications for various reasons, including political opinions and participation in pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's war in Gaza.
Trump has said his immigration policies are aimed at strengthening domestic security.
The crackdown has, however, faced legal challenges.
On Friday, a US judge struck down a Trump administration policy suspending the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries, ruling that it exceeded Secretary of State Marco Rubio's statutory authority.
Human rights groups have widely criticized the administration's immigration policies, describing them as discriminatory and arguing that they undermine free speech and due process rights.
Although Trump campaigned in 2024 on a promise to curb illegal immigration, his administration has also made legal immigration more difficult, including by imposing new and costly fees on applicants for certain work visas.
