US Pauses Immigrant Visa Interviews Worldwide

The Trump administration has paused immigrant visa appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide while consular officers go through new training on how to screen out applicants likely to end up on public benefits.

A State Department spokesman said Tuesday that a global training initiative had been launched at every U.S. embassy and consulate, and that "appointments for visa and services will be adjusted" to accommodate it.

The department has not said how long the pause lasts or when postponed interviews will be rescheduled. Just the News reported that at most diplomatic posts the training is expected to take place this week.

What the State Department Says

The training centers on the "public charge" test — a determination that an applicant is likely to become dependent on certain forms of public assistance after arriving in the United States. Under federal immigration law, that finding can make an immigrant visa applicant ineligible.

"A more prosperous American means ensuring that visa applicants are not likely to become a public charge, as defined under U.S. law and regulation, and not likely to become dependent on U.S. public benefits reserved for qualified Americans in need," a State Department spokesman told The Hill.

The department said the goal is to make sure consular officers evaluate applicants "comprehensively and consistently," and that "whenever there are changes to visa interview appointments, embassies and consulates communicate any changes directly to visa applicants."