The United States has paused immigrant visa appointments worldwide, citing a need to train all consular staff on screening applicants who might become dependent on public benefits as reason for the move.
A state department official told The Guardian on Tuesday that the agency launched the initiative at all embassies and consulates early August.
The state department has been working on updated guidance and training since early this year, “to ensure all consular officers are fully equipped to evaluate every visa applicant comprehensively and consistently”, the official added.
Applicants with interviews already scheduled were reportedly sent emails that their appointments had been canceled and that they would be informed of a new date and time.
The move comes amid an ongoing immigration crackdown by President Donald Trump — a move he says is necessary to boost domestic security. Under Trump, visa applicants have faced new restrictions, including review of their social media histories and additional processing costs.
On Tuesday, reports emerged of state department plans to revoke B1 and B2 visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the US. If implemented, it would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history.
On Monday, a notice in the federal register by the department of homeland security (DHS) proposed that foreign employers pay an additional $103,265 fee to sponsor workers under the US H-1B visa programmes.
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