The U.S. administration has temporarily suspended immigrant visa applications worldwide to provide comprehensive training for consular officers.
Applicants who had interview appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates received emails saying that their appointments had been rescheduled. They were told that the new dates and times would be provided later.
Public-charge criterion for applications
A State Department spokesperson said that the possibility of applicants becoming a public charge, as defined under U.S. law, would be taken into account when visa applications are evaluated.
The spokesperson said that, in line with the goal of a more prosperous United States, applicants' potential reliance on public benefits intended for Americans in need should be assessed.
Global training for consular officers
This month, the State Department launched a global training initiative aimed at enabling all consular officers to evaluate every visa application comprehensively and consistently.
The department said appointments would be rescheduled to accommodate this comprehensive training. No date was given for when processing would return to normal.
Tightening measures in immigration policy
The decision followed steps by the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to tighten immigration policy. The administration had previously sought to impose new restrictions on visas and green cards and had largely ended the refugee resettlement program.
Applicants affected by appointment cancellations
Brian Simmons, an attorney with the Washington-based immigration law firm Fragomen, said many applicants had spent thousands of dollars and changed their living arrangements to attend interviews.
Simmons said the last-minute cancellation of some appointments had caused serious hardship for applicants.
Federal court ruling
The latest decision came after a federal judge last week overturned the Trump administration's decision to suspend immigration applications from people from 75 mostly poorer countries.
The administration had argued that citizens of those countries might need U.S. public benefits.
