U.S. Suspends Review of All Immigrant Visas... Also Conducts Full Review of Existing Visas

[Financial News] The Trump administration, which has recently been tightening immigration policy again, has reportedly suspended all new immigrant visa approvals. At the same time, local authorities have begun a full review of foreign visas that are not immigrant visas.
The Financial Times reported on the 25th, local time, that applicants waiting for immigrant visa interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates around the world had recently received emails notifying them of schedule changes. The New York Times reported on the 24th, citing State Department officials, that the department had ordered embassies and consulates to undergo staff training reflecting tougher immigration policies and had rescheduled all visa interviews until the training is completed.
In response to a related question from the FT, a State Department spokesperson said this month, "We have launched an international training program to ensure that all consular staff are trained to assess visa applications in a thorough and consistent manner." The spokesperson emphasized, "For the United States to prosper, visa applicants must not become a burden on the American people." He added, "As written in U.S. law and regulations, visa applicants must not rely on U.S. public benefits intended for qualified Americans." Without specifying a date for resumption, the spokesperson said, "Interview schedules will be adjusted for in-depth training."
According to the NYT, the training program prepared by the State Department is mainly focused on screening whether immigration applicants are placing a burden on the United States by relying on public services and welfare.
The Trump administration has launched reviews not only of new immigrant visas but also of visas that have already been issued. On the 25th, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the department, together with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), would conduct a full review of nonimmigrant visas held by foreigners applying for U.S. naturalization. He explained, "We are now working with DHS to investigate whether people who entered the United States on short-term visas and hold visas other than immigrant visas are applying for naturalization in order to remain here permanently." He stressed, "These visas are issued to people who are supposed to return home soon. Obtaining one for the purpose of naturalization is fraud, and it can therefore be grounds for visa revocation."
Before taking office last year, the Trump administration had already emphasized that it would reduce the number of overseas immigrants who burden U.S. taxpayers and admit only high-skilled workers who would benefit the United States. In an announcement in January, it said it would suspend visa issuance for nationals from 75 countries, including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, Russia, Brazil, and Colombia, on the grounds that immigrants from those countries rely on U.S. welfare benefits.
The Associated Press reported on the 24th that the State Department plans to revoke B-1 and B-2 visas issued since 2016 for business and tourism purposes within the next few weeks if there is no appeal or policy change, in cases where the holder has applied for asylum or is currently doing so. In addition, DHS announced in the Federal Register on the 25th that it plans to impose a fee of $103,265 on H-1B visa issuance. The measure is expected to go through a 30-day public comment period before being finalized around the end of the year.
The FT noted that the Trump administration has moved to tighten immigration policy ahead of the November midterm elections as it faces pressure to rally supporters, but has run into judicial obstacles. On the 21st, a federal court in New York ruled that the administration's suspension of visa issuance for 75 countries was invalid and ordered it to present a new plan by Sept. 11.


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