US halts immigrant visa applications worldwide

The Trump administration has paused immigrant visa processing at US embassies and consulates worldwide as the State Department introduces stricter screening measures, a department official said Tuesday (August 25).

The initiative began in early August and involves additional training for consular officers to more closely assess applicants, including whether they could become reliant on US public assistance, reports The Gaurdian.

Applicants with scheduled interviews have reportedly received cancellation notices and will be given new dates, though no timeline has been set.

The move is part of President Donald Trump's broader immigration crackdown, which has included social media screening, higher visa-processing fees and tighter eligibility requirements.

The administration has also announced plans to revoke visas of asylum seekers who originally entered the US on tourist or business visas, potentially affecting up to 200,000 people.

The latest pause follows a federal judge's decision to overturn a separate policy that suspended immigrant visa processing for applicants from 75 countries on "public charge" grounds.

Immigration lawyers and rights groups have warned that the latest measures could create serious disruptions for applicants who have already spent thousands of dollars and made extensive preparations for interviews.

The State Department has not indicated when the cancelled appointments will resume.