US suspends visa interviews worldwide
US suspends visa interviews worldwide
The US government has temporarily suspended visa interviews worldwide. President Donald Trump's administration is taking strict measures against migration after returning to the White House. Reuters reported this.
A US State Department spokesman said on August 25 that a global training has begun at all US embassies and consulates around the world. Appointment times for visa services will be changed due to the training.
Trump is pursuing a policy of deporting illegal immigrants and tightening immigration controls in order to improve domestic security. As part of these measures, visas and green cards are being canceled and applications are being rejected for a number of reasons, including political views and participation in protests against US ally Israel's attacks on Gaza.
However, this strict policy is being challenged in the courts. Last week, a US court overturned the Trump administration’s decision to suspend immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries. The judge said the policy went beyond the legal authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
The State Department did not provide details of the training or how long it would last. According to the department, the training will help consular officers identify candidates who may become dependent on US government benefits and provide a more comprehensive and consistent assessment of visas.
The suspension of visa appointments was first reported by the Financial Times. According to the source, letters were sent to immigrant visa applicants who had scheduled interviews at US embassies and consulates. It said that the appointments had been postponed and that a new date would be announced later.
Human rights groups have sharply criticized Trump’s policy. They consider these measures discriminatory and violate the rights to freedom of speech and a fair trial. Human rights activists also argue that such measures have created a dangerous environment in the United States, especially for ethnic minorities who are concerned about racial discrimination.
Trump promised to stop illegal immigration during the 2024 election campaign. However, his administration is also making legal immigration more difficult. For example, new and expensive fees have been introduced for applicants for certain types of work visas.
It was also reported yesterday that the Trump administration intends to cancel the visas of 200,000 foreigners who have applied for asylum. It is noted that it is planned to cancel the documents of citizens who came to the United States on short-term business and tourist visas and later applied for asylum. This could be the largest mass visa cancellation in the history of the United States.