Trump Administration Proposes Six-Figure Price Tag for New H‑1B Visas
U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide have halted immigrant visa interviews while consular officers complete training on new public‑charge guidance, creating a backlog for applicants who have reached the interview stage.
The administration announced a global training initiative that requires all visa officers to finish an in‑depth public‑charge evaluation program before resuming interviews, a process expected to take several days at most posts.
“In early August, we launched a global training initiative at all of our embassies and consulates worldwide. To accommodate this in‑depth training, appointments for visa services will be adjusted,” a State Department official said in a statement.
The training aims to ensure visa evaluations are made “comprehensively and consistently,” the official added, though the department did not specify when affected applicants would receive new interview dates.
State Department Blasts Back at ‘Rogue Judge’ Over Visa Crackdown
Applicants received cancellation notices without clear rescheduling instructions, sparking uncertainty and frustration among immigrant visa seekers.
People waiting outside U.S. embassies in Bogota, Colombia, and other locations have been left without timelines for when they will be rescheduled, according to reports.
The move reflects President Donald Trump’s broader immigration crackdown that now extends to legal pathways, including higher fees for certain work visas and shortened stay limits for foreign students and journalists.
The administration also pursues visa revocations and removal proceedings against individuals involved in political activity, including anti‑Israel activists, prompting court challenges that allege free‑speech and due‑process violations.
Mass Visa Revocation Looms
The administration said it is preparing to revoke up to 200,000 business and tourism visas belonging to foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the United States, a move that would constitute the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history.
Legal setbacks continue to hamper the administration’s agenda, as courts have blocked or questioned several of its immigration policies in recent weeks.
