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The administration announced a pause on immigrant visa applications to implement a stricter public charge requirement.

The administration announced a pause on immigrant visa applications to ensure consular officials are trained on a new, stricter public charge requirement. This policy aims to identify immigrants who are likely to rely on public benefits, such as food stamps and housing vouchers, to ensure they do not become a drain on public coffers. Julia Gelatt, associate director of the U.S. immigration policy program at the Migration Policy Institute, noted that the pause is intended to provide time for training officers to apply the rules more aggressively. The administration is also preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have already applied for asylum, a move intended to send a message that asylum should not be used as a loophole for those who enter on temporary visas. While worker visas remain unaffected, family-based applicants may face a harder path to immigration. Experts suggest that the pause may lead to litigation if it lasts longer than the expected few months.

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