India, Aug. 26 -- The Trump administration has paused all immigrant visa appointments worldwide to retrain consular officers on screening applicants likely to become dependent on US government support, the Financial Times reported.

A State Department spokesman said on Tuesday, Aug 25, the agency had launched a global training initiative at all US embassies and consulates, and that appointments for visa services would be adjusted to accommodate the training. Applicants with interviews already scheduled have been told by email that their appointments are postponed with new dates to be notified later. A spokesperson said the aim was to ensure visa applicants are not likely to become a "public charge" or become dependent on public benefits r...