WASHINGTON: The administration of US President Donald Trump has temporarily put visa appointment schedules on hold or adjusted them for applicants worldwide as the State Department launches a new training programme for consular officers.
A State Department spokesperson said Tuesday that the department had begun a global training initiative across US embassies and consulates and that visa appointments would be rescheduled where necessary to accommodate the programme.
The department did not provide a specific timeline for the training or explain how long the appointment adjustments would continue. It said the initiative was intended to strengthen the screening process, including identifying applicants who could potentially become dependent on US public benefits, while ensuring visa cases are assessed comprehensively and consistently.
The Financial Times, which first reported the development, said some immigrant visa applicants with previously scheduled interviews had received emails informing them that their appointments would be postponed and that new dates would be communicated later.
The move comes as the Trump administration continues its broader immigration crackdown, which has included deportation efforts as well as increased scrutiny and revocation of visas and green cards. The administration has also rejected some applications over political activities and participation in pro-Palestinian protests.
Trump has defended the measures as necessary to strengthen US national security and protect public interests.
However, the administration’s immigration policies have encountered legal challenges. On Friday, a US judge blocked a policy that had suspended immigrant visa issuance for applicants from 75 countries, ruling that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had exceeded his legal authority.
Human rights organisations have strongly criticised the administration’s immigration policies, accusing it of discriminatory enforcement and raising concerns over free speech and due process. Rights advocates have also warned that increased immigration enforcement could contribute to racial profiling and make ethnic minority communities feel less secure.
Although Trump campaigned in 2024 on a pledge to curb illegal immigration, his administration has simultaneously introduced measures affecting legal immigration, including higher fees for applicants seeking certain work visas.
