US Pauses Immigrant Visa Appointments Worldwide Amid Trump Administration Crackdown: Report

WASHINGTON, Aug 26: The Trump administration has paused immigrant visa appointments worldwide as the US State Department steps up scrutiny of applicants who could potentially become dependent on government-funded public benefits, according to a Financial Times report.

The department has launched a global training programme for consular officers to ensure they assess visa applications more comprehensively and consistently, with particular focus on applicants who could be deemed a potential “public charge”.

Several immigrant visa applicants with interviews already scheduled at US embassies and consulates have reportedly received emails informing them that their appointments were being rescheduled. They were told that new dates and times would be communicated later.

A State Department spokesperson told the Financial Times that the policy was intended to ensure visa applicants were unlikely to become dependent on public benefits reserved for eligible Americans.

A “public charge” refers to an immigrant who is considered likely to become primarily dependent on government support for financial assistance.

The reported pause comes amid the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown and efforts to tighten rules governing entry and permanent residency in the United States.

The development also follows the administration’s proposal for a USD 103,265 application fee for H-1B visas, which allow US companies to employ foreign workers in specialised occupations. Technology companies rely heavily on the programme to recruit skilled workers, including from India and China.

Since returning to office in 2025, President Donald Trump has pursued stricter immigration policies, including measures targeting both illegal immigration and legal immigration pathways.

The administration had earlier attempted to restrict immigrant visa applications from 75 countries on public-charge grounds. In January, the State Department also paused immigrant visa issuance from nearly 40 per cent of the world’s countries, citing concerns that beneficiaries could become reliant on welfare and public benefits.

Under US law, determining whether an immigrant is likely to become a public charge requires consideration of factors including finances, age, health, skills and family circumstances.

However, a federal judge reportedly struck down the earlier measure on Friday, ruling that it was contrary to law and beyond the statutory authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. (Agencies)