The Trump administration has reportedly temporarily paused immigrant visa appointments worldwide as consular officers undergo “in-depth training” aimed at identifying foreign applicants likely to rely on U.S. public assistance.
The State Department guidance follows a federal judge’s decision last week to vacate President Donald Trump’s policy suspending visa processing for nationals from 75 countries the administration considered likely to require public benefits.
“A more prosperous American means ensuring that visa applicants are not likely to become a public charge,” a State Department spokesperson said Wednesday.
The spokesperson said the worldwide training initiative began in early August at every U.S. embassy and consulate. Visa and service appointments will be adjusted during the process, with affected applicants receiving information directly from diplomatic posts.
The pause comes as the administration pursues a hard-line immigration agenda. Officials have touted the revocation of more than 175,000 visas belonging to individuals accused of violating their terms through criminal activity, though those decisions largely relied on law enforcement encounters.
The administration also announced Monday that it was seeking to revoke short-term visas held by individuals who entered the United States and later filed asylum claims. Some reports said officials were seeking 200,000 cancellations.
Officials have additionally targeted visas and green cards held by people deemed national security threats. Advocates, however, accuse the administration of targeting protected speech, including political opinions and participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
U.S. District Judge Jeannette Vargas ruled Friday that the administration exceeded its authority by pausing applications based on nationality. Vargas said nationality does not determine an applicant’s financial resources and that consular officers must evaluate each applicant individually.
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