The administration of US President Donald Trump has temporarily suspended immigrant visa interviews at US embassies and consulates around the world as part of a broader effort to tighten immigration controls.
A State Department spokesperson said a global training initiative has been launched across the US diplomatic network. The department has not provided detailed information about the training, but said it is intended to help consular officers more closely assess visa applicants.
The new guidance focuses in particular on identifying applicants who could become dependent on public assistance after arriving in the United States. Officers have also been instructed to evaluate applications "comprehensively and with a single standard," according to the State Department.
The suspension comes as the Trump administration pursues an aggressive immigration policy that includes visa cancellations and the rejection of applicants on a broad range of grounds. The administration has emphasized that the measures are designed to protect US national security and prevent illegal immigration.
Trump's policies have also resulted in visa action against people based on factors including their political views and participation in pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
