The Donald Trump administration has paused or rescheduled visa appointments at US embassies and consulates worldwide as the State Department begins a global training program for consular officers, adding another disruption for people seeking to travel to the United States .
A State Department spokesperson said Tuesday that the agency had launched the training initiative across its overseas diplomatic posts. Visa service appointments will be adjusted to accommodate the training, although the department did not provide a specific timeline for how long the changes would last. The development comes as President Donald Trump’s administration continues a sweeping immigration crackdown that has affected both undocumented and legal immigration. The appointment changes come as the Trump administration has stepped up immigration enforcement during the president’s second term.
The State Department said the training is intended to help consular officers screen visa applicants more effectively, including identifying applicants who may become dependent on US public benefits. The training is also designed to ensure visa applications are evaluated “comprehensively and consistently,” the department said. Immigrant visa applicants with interviews scheduled at US embassies and consulates had received emails informing them that their appointments were being rescheduled, according to The Financial Times report. Applicants were told they would receive notice of a new interview date.
