The U.S. State Department has temporarily halted all immigrant visa applications worldwide, canceling scheduled interviews and pausing processing at embassies and consulates to enforce stricter eligibility rules. Officials justify the move as a way to prevent applicants from accessing U.S. public benefits, while the administration also plans to revoke visas for asylum seekers who originally entered the country for non-refugee purposes. Legal challenges have already emerged, with a federal judge previously blocking a similar attempt to suspend the refugee program, raising questions over the legality of the latest restrictions. Meanwhile, the country is mourning the death of country music legend Dolly Parton, whose cultural impact spans decades.
All US immigrant visa applications halted as state department moves to tighten restrictions and limit access. Plus tributes pour in for Dolly Parton, who has died aged 80Good morning. All US immigrant visa applications have been paused by the Trump administration as the state department moves to tighten restrictions and limit access to applicants whom they deem could need US assistance. The agency launched the initiative at all embassies and consulates in early August.Applicants with scheduled interviews were sent emails that their appointments had been canceled. Agency officials claim this will ensure visa applicants will not end up relying on US public benefits. This week the Trump administration also announced plans to revoke visas from asylum seekers who had initially entered the US for tourism or business. Up to 200,000 people seeking asylum could be affected.Is the move lawful? “The court made clear that immigration laws cannot be used to justify discrimination,” Joanna Cuevas Ingram, a senior staff attorney at the National Immigration Law Center, said. In February, a federal judge overturned the president’s attempt to suspend the US refugee system entirely.Why are the states suing Meta? The lawsuit centers on the allegations that Meta deliberately designed addictive products that hooked young people, leading to mental health issues, including anxiety, depression and suicide. Meta has denied all allegations, saying the states are chasing an “outlandish payout”. Continue reading...
