Washington: (RightNow) The US government has temporarily halted visa appointments worldwide. According to the US State Department, this measure is taken for staff training.

The State Department stated that training programs have been initiated at embassies and consulates. Visa services will be affected, and new appointment dates will be announced later.

The training aims to assist consular officers in evaluating applicants, especially those who may rely on US welfare programs.

This decision is part of the strict immigration policies during President Trump’s administration. The government has deemed immigration actions necessary for national security.

It is noteworthy that Trump’s immigration policy has faced legal challenges. Human rights organizations have labeled these measures as discriminatory.