Uploaded August 2026 | Updated September 2026, 3 weeks ago
The Trump administration is expanding its immigration crackdown to legal pathways into the United States, temporarily halting immigrant visa appointments worldwide while consular officers undergo new training and prepare to revoke visas from some foreign nationals who entered legally before seeking asylum.
The State Department says immigrant visa appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates are being adjusted as officers undergo what the agency calls “in-depth training” aimed at strengthening screening of applicants.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the goal is to ensure consular officers have the resources needed to properly evaluate visa cases, including whether applicants pose security concerns or are likely to follow the terms of their visas.
“Each one of these determinations is made on a case-by-case basis,” Pigott said.
The worldwide initiative comes after a federal judge blocked an earlier, broader policy that suspended immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries the administration considered at higher risk of relying on public assistance.
The National Immigration Law Center, which challenged that policy, praised the court's decision and called the restrictions an “unlawful and racist ban” that caused “immeasurable harm” by separating families.
Pigott defended the administration's broader approach, saying the State Department has an obligation to protect Americans and ensure taxpayer-funded benefits are protected.
The administration is also targeting some visas already issued.
Earlier this week, the State Department announced it is preparing to revoke B-1 business and B-2 tourist visas from some foreign nationals who entered the United States as temporary visitors and later sought asylum. Reports indicate as many as 200,000 people could be affected.
Pigott said the administration is focused on cases in which officials determine an applicant intended to seek asylum and remain permanently in the United States when applying for a temporary visa.
“If that person has applied for that temporary visa with the intent to apply for asylum and stay in this country permanently, they have misrepresented themselves to the consular officer,” Pigott said, characterizing such cases as fraud.
The moves are part of a broader effort by the administration to tighten legal immigration pathways.
READ MORE: 13wham.com/news/nation-world/trump-administration-expands-immigration-crackdown-with-worldwide-visa-pause-embassies-applicants-state-department
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The Trump administration is expanding its immigration crackdown to legal pathways into the United States, temporarily halting immigrant visa appointments worldwide while consular officers undergo new training and prepare to revoke visas from some foreign nationals who entered legally before seeking asylum.
The State Department says immigrant visa appointments at U.S. embassies and consulates are being adjusted as officers undergo what the agency calls “in-depth training” aimed at strengthening screening of applicants.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the goal is to ensure consular officers have the resources needed to properly evaluate visa cases, including whether applicants pose security concerns or are likely to follow the terms of their visas.
“Each one of these determinations is made on a case-by-case basis,” Pigott said.
The worldwide initiative comes after a federal judge blocked an earlier, broader policy that suspended immigrant visa issuance for nationals of 75 countries the administration considered at higher risk of relying on public assistance.
The National Immigration Law Center, which challenged that policy, praised the court's decision and called the restrictions an “unlawful and racist ban” that caused “immeasurable harm” by separating families.
Pigott defended the administration's broader approach, saying the State Department has an obligation to protect Americans and ensure taxpayer-funded benefits are protected.
The administration is also targeting some visas already issued.
Earlier this week, the State Department announced it is preparing to revoke B-1 business and B-2 tourist visas from some foreign nationals who entered the United States as temporary visitors and later sought asylum. Reports indicate as many as 200,000 people could be affected.
Pigott said the administration is focused on cases in which officials determine an applicant intended to seek asylum and remain permanently in the United States when applying for a temporary visa.
“If that person has applied for that temporary visa with the intent to apply for asylum and stay in this country permanently, they have misrepresented themselves to the consular officer,” Pigott said, characterizing such cases as fraud.
The moves are part of a broader effort by the administration to tighten legal immigration pathways.
READ MORE: 13wham.com/news/nation-world/trump-administration-expands-immigration-crackdown-with-worldwide-visa-pause-embassies-applicants-state-department
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13 WHAM Daily Local News Digest: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLuTJB6tta5ar3Fu5CumAvlvVunEP6bc9A
For more information, visit 13wham.com
Have a news tip? Send it directly to us:
Email us: news@13wham.com
Call the Newsroom: (585) 334-8700
WHAM is a NY based station and a ABC Television affiliate owned and operated by Deerfield Media, Inc and receives certain services from an affiliation of Sinclair Broadcast Group. Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc. is one of the largest and most diversified television broadcasting companies in the country today.
#13WHAM #News #Rochester #NewYork
