The Donald Trump administration has temporarily paused or rescheduled visa interview appointments at US embassies and consulates worldwide, citing a global training programme for consular officers. The move comes amid a broader immigration crackdown that has tightened scrutiny of both legal and illegal migration.
The US State Department said visa service appointments would be adjusted to accommodate training across its overseas diplomatic posts. The programme is intended to help consular officers assess applicants more comprehensively and consistently, including screening those considered likely to become dependent on US public benefits.
The pause was first reported by the Financial Times. According to the report, some immigrant visa applicants with previously scheduled interviews received emails informing them that their appointments had been rescheduled. The State Department has not provided a specific timeline for when normal scheduling will resume.
The latest development comes as the Trump administration pursues several immigration measures. Officials are considering changes to the H-1B visa programme, a key route for foreign professionals, including thousands of Indian workers. The administration has also indicated plans to revoke the visas of around 200,000 foreigners who entered the US for tourism or business but later applied for asylum.
Trump has defended the measures as necessary for national security, although several policies have faced legal challenges. A US judge recently blocked a policy restricting immigrant visa issuance to applicants from 75 countries, ruling that the State Department had exceeded its legal authority.
Human rights organisations have criticised the broader crackdown, raising concerns over due process, discrimination and free speech. The latest visa interview changes are therefore being closely watched by prospective immigrants, workers and international students worldwide.
