The Trump administration has paused some visa appointments worldwide as U.S. embassies and consulates conduct a global training programme for consular officers.

A State Department spokesperson said visa-service appointments would be adjusted to accommodate the training, which is intended to ensure applicants are evaluated comprehensively and consistently.

The training will focus partly on identifying applicants considered likely to become dependent on public benefits.

The Financial Times reported that immigrant visa applicants with scheduled interviews had received emails advising that their appointments were being rescheduled.

The move comes as President Donald Trump intensifies an immigration crackdown involving visa and green-card revocations and tougher scrutiny of applications.

The administration has encountered legal challenges to some of its measures. A judge recently struck down a policy suspending immigrant visa issuance to applicants from 75 countries, ruling that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had exceeded his statutory authority.

This article was originally published by Antigua News Room. Read the original article here: US Pauses Visa Appointments Worldwide for Staff Training.