US Green Card Interviews Frozen Worldwide — 200,000 Visas on Chopping Block
The United States has slammed the brakes on legal immigration, pausing green card interviews at every embassy and consulate on the planet while also preparing to revoke up to 200,000 visas in a historic enforcement crackdown.
The U.S. State Department has ordered a worldwide suspension of immigrant visa interviews, halting the path to permanent residency for applicants in every country [229205][228981][227615]. The freeze, announced as part of a training program for consular officers on admissibility criteria, affects both family-based and employment-based green card applicants [228981][227615]. No timeline has been given for when interviews will resume, leaving thousands of approved petitions in limbo [229205][228082].
The pause hits Asian applicants especially hard, with many already facing multi-year backlogs [228082]. In China, applicants reacted with shock and anger after consulates abruptly cancelled scheduled interviews, with some having already booked flights and housing in the U.S. [228100]. The State Department has not issued a public statement explaining the full scope or duration of the freeze [227721][228100].
Separately, the State Department is preparing to revoke at least 200,000 visas, targeting individuals who violated U.S. entry terms or are considered security risks [229593]. Another report indicates the revocations may specifically target foreigners who entered on tourist or business visas and later applied for asylum, which would mark the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history [227109]. Nigerian applicants and current visa holders are expected to face significant impact [229593].
Legal experts warn the mass revocations could overwhelm immigration courts and trigger widespread legal challenges [227109]. Advocacy groups have condemned the proposal, arguing it would leave vulnerable individuals in legal limbo without a path to protection [227109].
The moves come as the U.S. government steps up enforcement of immigration laws, with officials saying the measures are meant to close loopholes and ensure national security [229205]. Critics argue the changes create uncertainty for skilled workers and students who contribute to the U.S. economy [229205]. For now, applicants are left waiting, with no clear answers and no new dates on the horizon [228100].