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The Trump administration has paused immigrant visa applications worldwide to accommodate “in-depth training” for consular officers, as it seeks to screen out applicants deemed likely to need US assistance, The Financial Times (FT) reported on Tuesday.
The move marks another step in the Trump administration’s signature drive to reduce immigration into the United States.
Applicants with scheduled interviews at US embassies and consulates received emails saying their appointments were being rescheduled and that they would receive notice of new dates and times.
“A more prosperous America means ensuring that visa applicants are not likely to become a public charge, as defined under US law and regulation, and not likely to become dependent on US public benefits reserved for qualified Americans in need,” a State Department spokesperson told the FT.
