The Trump administration has temporarily suspended visa appointments for applicants worldwide. Appointment scheduling for visa services is being changed to align with a new global training program that has begun at US embassies and consulates.
A US State Department spokesperson disclosed the information Tuesday. The State Department did not provide specific details about the training program or how long visa appointments would remain suspended.
The State Department said the training is aimed at helping consular officers identify visa applicants deemed likely to become dependent on US government welfare benefits. The training is also intended to ensure that visa applicants are evaluated comprehensively and consistently.
Interview dates to be announced later
The Financial Times was first to report the suspension of visa appointments. According to the paper’s report, immigrant visa applicants at various US embassies and consulates who had scheduled interviews have been emailed and told their appointments are being rescheduled. New dates will be announced later.
The decision comes at a time when President Donald Trump, since beginning his second term, has made sweeping changes to US immigration policy. His administration has intensified deportations of undocumented immigrants and stepped up anti-immigration operations.
Under Trump’s campaign, US visas and green cards have been revoked and applications rejected for various reasons — including expressing dissenting political views and participating in pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s attacks on Gaza. Trump has said these strict measures are aimed at strengthening US domestic security.
Court intervenes over visas for Bangladesh, 74 other countries
The Trump administration has faced some legal obstacles in implementing its anti-immigration policies, however. Last Friday, a US judge struck down a policy that had suspended immigrant visas for citizens of 75 countries, including Bangladesh.
The court found that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had exceeded his legal authority in enforcing that policy. The announcement of changes to visa appointment scheduling worldwide came shortly after that ruling.
Criticism from human rights organizations
Human rights organizations have criticized the Trump administration’s tough anti-immigration campaign. They allege the measures are discriminatory and undermine freedom of expression and due process rights.
The organizations further allege that the strict immigration policy has created an unsafe environment in the United States, particularly for ethnic minorities, who they fear may face suspicion or heightened scrutiny because of their ethnic identity.
During his 2024 campaign, Trump promised to stop illegal immigration. Since taking office, his administration has tightened not only illegal immigration but also the legal immigration system. The latest decision to suspend visa appointments worldwide is being seen as another example of that crackdown.
বাংলায় মূল প্রতিবেদন পড়ুন · Read the original Bengali report