Visa appointments paused worldwide amid crackdown

The United States has paused immigrant visa applications and worldwide visa appointments to implement an in-depth training program for consular officers, with interviews already scheduled being canceled and rescheduled as training begins. The crackdown is framed by officials as a measure to prevent entrants who might rely on US public benefits, amid broader efforts to tighten immigration under the current administration. Reports from the Financial Times and other outlets indicate the training started in early August and affects visas at embassies and consulates globally. Critics, including human rights groups, say the policy risks discrimination and due process concerns, while supporters argue it strengthens screening and consistency in visa evaluations. The pause comes alongside other restrictive measures and ongoing legal challenges to related immigration policies, such as prior bans on certain countries and the review of social media histories. The situation has drawn coverage from multiple outlets in different regions, illustrating a coordinated international response to U.S. immigration policy changes.