US halts visa appointments globally amid Trump's immigration crackdown

The US has paused visa appointments for applicants around the world as the Trump administration launches a global training programme for consular officers amid its broader immigration crackdown. A US State Department spokesperson said on Tuesday that the department had begun a training initiative at all US embassies and consulates worldwide. Visa appointment schedules will be adjusted to accommodate the training, the spokesperson said, according to Reuters. The State Department did not provide details on the training or specify how long the adjustments would last. It said 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". According to a Financial Times report, immigrant visa applicants with scheduled interviews at US embassies and consulates had received emails informing them that their appointments were being rescheduled and that they would be notified of new dates. The development comes as President Donald Trump's administration continues a broad immigration crackdown that has included visa and green-card revocations and the rejection of applications on various grounds, including political opinions and participation in pro-Palestinian protests. Trump has said the crackdown is intended to improve domestic security. Immigration crackdown faces legal challenges The administration's immigration policies have also faced legal setbacks. A US judge on Friday struck down a policy that suspended the issuance of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries, ruling that the measure exceeded secretary of state Marco Rubio's statutory authority. The administration has also moved to tighten restrictions on legal immigration. The US Department of Homeland Security has proposed making permanent a $103,265 fee for new cap-subject H-1B visa petitions, after a previous $100,000 fee imposed by Trump was blocked by a court. The proposed fee would significantly increase the cost for employers hiring foreign workers in specialised fields. The H-1B programme allows US employers to hire foreign workers with specialised training. The programme provides 65,000 visas annually, along with another 20,000 for workers with advanced degrees. Trump's administration has also ordered enhanced vetting of H-1B applicants and proposed changes to the visa selection process that would favour higher-skilled and better-paid workers. Visa revocations add to pressure on applicants The administration is separately preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of potentially up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the US. The proposed action would cover B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 whose holders have sought or are seeking asylum. The State Department is expected to announce the move in the coming weeks, according to news agency AP. B1 visas are generally issued for business travel, while B2 visas are generally used for tourism, family visits or medical treatment. The administration has also tightened screening requirements for visa applicants, including demands for additional information about their social media histories and, in some cases, expensive visa bonds. The latest pause in appointments therefore comes as the Trump administration continues to review and tighten several aspects of the US immigration and visa system. [Image text:] MAK G 10 PEEEI VISA Issuing Po