US pauses visa appointments worldwide during global training programme

):US President Donald Trump’s administration has temporarily paused appointments for visa applicants around the world as part of an immigration crackdown. According to the British news agency Reuters, a State Department spokesperson said a global training programme had been launched at all US embassies and consulates worldwide. Appointments for visa services will be adjusted in line with the training.

Trump has launched an aggressive deportation drive and immigration crackdown. It includes the cancellation of visas and green cards and the rejection of applications on various grounds. He says the crackdown is meant to improve national security.

The crackdown has also faced some legal hurdles. On Friday, a US judge struck down the Trump administration’s policy that barred the issuing of immigrant visas to applicants from 75 countries. The judge said the policy exceeded the legal powers of Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The State Department gave no details of the training or its duration. It said only that the training aims to enable consular officers to reject applicants likely to rely on US public benefits, and to ensure a “comprehensive and continuous” review of visa applicants.