US pauses immigrant visa appointments worldwide for consular training

The US government under the Trump administration has halted immigrant visa processing globally, cancelling and rescheduling existing appointments. The State Department explained the pause is necessary to accommodate a "global training initiative" for consular officers. This training is designed to ensure officers can comprehensively evaluate applicants and screen out those deemed likely to become a "public charge" by depending on US public benefits. The move is part of the administration's broader efforts to reduce immigration.