The United States government has suspended immigrant visa appointments at embassies and consulates worldwide, including in Nigeria, as part of a global training initiative announced on Tuesday. The move, confirmed by a State Department spokesperson, is the latest disruption to legal immigration pathways under President Donald Trump's administration.
Global Training Programme Triggers Appointment Cancellations
The State Department spokesperson said visa appointments were being adjusted to allow consular officers to undergo training designed to help them better screen applicants who might rely on US public benefits and to ensure evaluations are carried out "comprehensively and consistently." No timeline or further details about the training were disclosed.
The Financial Times first reported the pause, noting that immigrant visa applicants who already had confirmed interview slots at US embassies and consulates began receiving emails informing them that their appointments had been cancelled and that they would be notified of new dates at a later time. This has left thousands of applicants, including many Nigerians, in limbo without confirmed rescheduled dates.
Broader Immigration Crackdown Under Trump
The pause comes amid a wider immigration campaign under Trump's second term, which has included the revocation of visas and green cards, rejection of applications tied to political views, and crackdowns on individuals who participated in pro-Palestinian protests. The administration has also introduced new and costly fees attached to certain work visa categories, making legal immigration considerably harder.
While Trump won the 2024 presidential election partly on a platform of halting illegal immigration, his administration's policies have also targeted legal immigration pathways. Human rights organisations have condemned the broader crackdown as discriminatory, arguing it infringes on free speech and due process rights. Several groups have also raised concerns about the environment the policies have created for ethnic minorities in the US, particularly around racial profiling. The administration maintains the crackdown is necessary to strengthen domestic security.
Court Blocks Earlier Visa Suspension
The administration has faced legal resistance to its immigration measures. A US judge on Friday struck down a Trump administration policy that had suspended immigrant visa issuance to nationals from 75 countries, ruling that the policy went beyond the legal authority of Secretary of State Marco Rubio. This latest pause, however, is distinct as it applies globally and is framed as a training exercise.
Applicants affected by the current pause are advised to monitor their email for updates, as the State Department has not provided a timeline for when appointments will be rescheduled or when the training will conclude.
