US halts all immigrant visa applications amid tightening restrictions

Key Points:

• The Trump administration has paused all US immigrant visa applications as the State Department implements new restrictions to prevent applicants from relying on US public assistance, with training for consular officers underway since early this year.
• Visa appointments scheduled at embassies and consulates were canceled to accommodate in-depth training, and applicants are awaiting rescheduled interview dates, according to a State Department official.
• This move is part of broader efforts by the administration to tighten immigration policies, including plans to revoke visas from up to 200,000 asylum seekers who initially entered the US for tourism or business purposes.
• Previous measures under Trump have introduced social media reviews and increased processing fees for visa applicants, alongside attempts to block applications from certain countries on public charge grounds, some of which have been overturned by federal courts.
• Immigration law experts warn that these new restrictions will create significant challenges for lawful applicants navigating an already difficult immigration process.