Washington DC - The US State Department said Wednesday it was temporarily pausing all immigrant visa appointments in order to conduct new training for embassy and consulate employees.

The pause, which applies to every US embassy and consulate globally, only involves immigrant visas, not those issued for tourism, study, business travel, or temporary work.

Existing immigrant visa appointments, which typically consist of an interview between a foreign national and a consular officer, will be "adjusted" to accommodate the training, a State Department spokesperson told AFP in an email.

"Whenever there are changes to visa interview appointments, embassies and consulates communicate any changes directly to visa applicants," the spokesperson said.

Politicians Mike Lindell backtracks on funding recount, sues Minnesota election officials instead

No end date was given for the resumption of appointments, but a State Department official speaking on condition of anonymity said it could be several weeks, depending on the location.

The training relates to screening visa applicants who may be a "public charge... and not likely to become dependent on US public benefits reserved for qualified Americans in need," the spokesperson's email said.

Since he returned to office last year, President Donald Trump has cracked down on immigration with violent federal raids, mass detentions, and deportations.

On Tuesday, the State Department said it planned to revoke up to 200,000 tourist or business visas for foreigners who sought to stay longer by applying for asylum.

And earlier this month the department said that some 175,000 foreigners had seen their US visas revoked since Trump returned to office in January 2025, on grounds ranging from criminal offenses, including driving under the influence, to praising the killing of far-right Turning Point USA co-founder Charlie Kirk.

Donald Trump Trump finally gives explanation for CIA director John Ratcliffe's mission to Russia

But some of the Trump administration's measures have been challenged and curtailed by the courts.

Last Friday, for instance, a federal judge struck down a government ban on visas for nationals of 75 countries who wish to settle in the country indefinitely. These countries included Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria, Somalia, Thailand, and Yemen.

Immigrant families, workers, and legal groups have filed an emergency motion to enforce the order.

"Families who have waited for months to be reunited with their loved ones continue to be separated across oceans as a result of the government refusing to abide by the court’s order and lift the blanket visa ban," Efrén C. Olivares, vice president of litigation and legal strategy at the National Immigration Law Center, said in a statement. 

"We continue to seek justice for our plaintiffs and have sought relief from the court to ensure the government complies with the order and judgment immediately."