The United States Department of State has temporarily paused immigrant visa processing worldwide, affecting applications handled at US embassies and consulates.
The move is intended to allow consular officers to undergo in-depth training aimed at strengthening the screening and evaluation of immigrant visa applicants, particularly regarding whether applicants could become dependent on US public assistance.
The pause means that scheduled immigrant visa interviews are being postponed, while the State Department has not yet provided a definite date for when normal processing will resume.
The development comes amid the Trump administration's broader tightening of US immigration policies, including increased screening and vetting of visa applicants.
The latest move is expected to affect thousands of people around the world who are seeking to immigrate to the United States, including those pursuing family-based and other immigrant visas.
The State Department has previously implemented restrictions affecting immigrant visa issuance for nationals of several countries, including Nigeria, under separate policies.
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