لماذا جمّدت واشنطن مواعيد التأشيرات حول العالم؟

In a surprising move, the United States has suspended visa appointments at all American embassies and consulates around the world, coinciding with the expansion of its strict immigration campaign, which includes plans to revoke visas and residencies, and tighten entry and deportation procedures.

Global Training Initiative

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department announced yesterday (Tuesday) that the department has launched a global training initiative at all embassies and consulates, and that visa service appointments will be adjusted to allow for the implementation of the training program.

The administration of President Donald Trump continues an extensive campaign to deport immigrants and tighten immigration procedures, which includes revoking visas and permanent residency cards and denying applications for various reasons, including political stances and participation in protests against the Israeli war on Gaza.

However, the administration's campaign has faced legal setbacks, as a U.S. judge on Friday overturned a Trump administration policy that suspended the issuance of immigration visas for applicants from 75 countries, deeming it to exceed the legal authority granted to Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

The State Department did not disclose details about the training program or its duration, stating only that it aims to assist consular staff in screening applicants believed to be likely to rely on U.S. public assistance, and to ensure that visa applications are evaluated "thoroughly and consistently."

The "Financial Times" was the first to report the news of the appointment suspension, stating that applicants for immigration visas who had scheduled interviews at U.S. embassies and consulates received emails informing them of the rescheduling of their appointments, with new dates to be communicated later.

Cancellation of 200,000 Visas

The Trump administration intends to revoke business and tourist visas for approximately 200,000 foreigners who applied for asylum after entering the United States on temporary visas, according to what "Associated Press" reported from officials and documents from the U.S. State Department, in a move that could represent the largest mass cancellation of visas in the country's history.

This step is part of a broader campaign implemented by the Trump administration to tighten immigration policies, which includes revoking visas and permanent residency cards (green cards), intensifying deportation efforts, and imposing additional restrictions on several legal immigration pathways.

The State Department announced in August that it had revoked more than 175,000 visas for foreigners since Trump's return to the White House, as part of what the administration describes as a tightening of oversight on foreign entry and an enhancement of domestic security.

The administration has expanded its review of visa holders' statuses, including individuals who entered the United States on temporary visas and then applied for asylum, paving the way for the new decision regarding business and tourist visas in categories B-1 and B-2.