The Trump administration has paused immigrant visa applications worldwide as the US State Department moves to tighten immigration controls and restrict access to applicants it considers likely to become dependent on public benefits.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to reports citing State Department officials, consular officers are being trained to assess immigrant visa applications more comprehensively and consistently under the new policy.
The pause comes amid a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on illegal immigration and tighter rules governing the issuance of green cards.
The administration has also introduced changes affecting other categories of foreign nationals seeking to work or live in the United States.
A day earlier, the Trump administration proposed a new $103,265 application fee for H-1B visas.
The H-1B is a non-immigrant visa that allows US companies to employ foreign workers in specialised occupations requiring theoretical or technical expertise.
Technology companies rely heavily on the programme to recruit tens of thousands of workers annually, particularly from countries such as India and China.
The latest move is expected to affect prospective immigrants seeking permanent residence in the US as the administration intensifies efforts to reshape the country’s immigration system.
