US pauses visa appointments worldwide amid Trump’s immigration crackdown

The US has paused visa appointments at its embassies and consulates worldwide as the Donald Trump administration steps up its immigration crackdown.

The US State Department said on Tuesday that it had started a global training programme for consular officers. Visa appointment schedules will be adjusted to accommodate the training, the department said, without giving details on how long the changes would continue.

The training is aimed at helping consular officers screen applicants more closely, including those considered likely to become dependent on US public benefits. The State Department said the exercise would also ensure that visa applications are assessed “comprehensively and consistently”.

The pause affected applicants worldwide

The pause has affected applicants who already had visa interviews scheduled. According to a report by the Financial Times, some immigrant visa applicants received emails saying their appointments had been rescheduled. They were told they would receive further information about new interview dates.

The development comes as the Trump administration has expanded its immigration enforcement measures during the president’s second term. The campaign has included increased deportations, visa and green card revocations, and rejection of applications on several grounds.

Among the issues cited by the administration have been applicants’ political views and participation in pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Trump has defended the broader crackdown as necessary to strengthen security in the US.

Trump's policies faced legal challenges

The administration’s policies have also faced legal challenges. On Friday (August 21), a US judge struck down a policy that had suspended the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries. The judge ruled that the policy went beyond the statutory authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

Human rights groups have criticised the administration’s immigration measures, saying they discriminate against certain groups and raise concerns over free speech and due process. Rights organisations have also warned that the crackdown has increased fears of racial profiling among ethnic minorities in the US.

Trump had made stopping illegal immigration a major promise of his 2024 presidential campaign. At the same time, his administration has introduced measures affecting legal immigration, including new and higher fees for applicants seeking certain work visas.

The latest changes could add to uncertainty for people seeking to enter the US through legal immigration channels, particularly as consular officers undergo the new screening training.