The US State Department has temporarily suspended the scheduling of immigrant visa interviews at American embassies and consulates around the world, including in Brazil. The move was confirmed on Tuesday, according to reports by G1 and CNN Brasil. Applicants who already had interviews scheduled began receiving notices that their appointments would be rescheduled.
The measure affects only immigrant visas, meant for people seeking to settle permanently in the United States. Non-immigrant visa appointments, such as tourist visas, continue to operate normally, according to G1.
A State Department spokesperson said the suspension is tied to a global training program for consular officers at every US embassy and consulate, and that visa scheduling will be adjusted to accommodate the training. The department did not say how long the change would last. According to the American government, the goal is to prepare officers to evaluate applicants 'comprehensively and consistently' and identify people who might become dependent on US public benefits.
The Financial Times, cited by both G1 and CNN Brasil, reported that immigrant visa applicants with interviews already scheduled received emails notifying them of the postponement, with no set date for a new appointment.
Part of a broader immigration crackdown
The suspension comes amid a wider immigration crackdown under President Donald Trump, who has tightened rules for both undocumented immigrants and foreigners trying to enter or remain in the country legally. According to CNN Brasil, the policy includes deportations, the cancellation of visas and green cards, and the rejection of applications over reasons such as political views and participation in pro-Palestinian protests against Israel's offensive in Gaza. Trump says the measures are needed to strengthen domestic security.
The crackdown has already faced legal setbacks. According to G1, a federal judge last week struck down a Trump administration policy that had suspended immigrant visa issuance for applicants from 75 countries, ruling that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had exceeded his legal authority in implementing the measure. CNN Brasil adds that human rights groups have called Trump's immigration policy discriminatory and a violation of due process, while civil rights organizations say it has created an atmosphere of insecurity for ethnic minorities in the United States.