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U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visa applications

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Re: U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visa applications

#371
post #44
post #19

the current admin are working hard to destroy the U.S as if they're foreign agents. not only are they making it hard & unbearable for families of US citizens & PR holders to be together. while at the same time - discouraging talent to come to the US at a crucial time when talent is at a premium due to A.I development. last the backwards energy policy of banning renewable energy.

> the current admin are working hard to destroy the U.S as if they're foreign agents The U.S. had a draconian restrictive immigration policy from 1921-1965. That worked fine. How can you say with a straight face that someone must be a “foreign agent” to think doing the same thing again will have the same result? Surely the burden is on you to prove the opposite, right?

How can you with a straight face equate “fine for 1921-1965” with “best for 2026”?

Even odder: what makes you find it plausible that an understanding of the policies of this period and their effect on the economy were part of the decision-making process of this administration - especially when they have actively voiced opinions that fully explain this action? At some point bending backwards to provide some benefit of the doubt is saying more about the speaker than the topic - I am certainly of the opinion that we are well beyond that rubicon. I cannot fathom the reasoning at this point.

Re: U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visa applications

#372

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't want to minimize your friend's situation. But, a spousal visa is very different from being a permanent resident (maybe I am misunderstanding). If he got it through marrying a US citizen, there's a 3-year wait for naturalization and otherwise it's a 5-year wait. Naturalization never required leaving the country, at least in my experience but things might have changed.

Confused as well - spousal visa gives them a green card, does it not? What is there to wait for? Are they postponing green card renewal as well?

It's not automatic, you still need to apply and USCIS still has arbitrary discretion. The I-485 can take several months and that's assuming your paperwork is perfect and the agent likes you.

Re: U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visa applications

#373
post #15

So for those that don't know, it's quite common for a visa renewal to be required to leave the country. Depending on the visa, you might have to do this every year. So just imagine, having a normal job in the US and you're asked to leave to renew your visa and this stuff happens. That's no more appointment, not even a new date and you're now very likely unable to work and possibly can't even enter the country to get…

Agreed. I live in Midwest and that's the same sentiment I am getting from the people. People voted to oppose illegal migration, not stopping legal migration. This November will be judgment day for this administration's policies.

Re: U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visa applications

#374

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's clear you are not a hiring manager. There aren't thousands of highly qualified engineers looking for work. I can't tell if this a troll post or not.

Yes, there are thousands of qualified engineers looking for work.

It’s a big industry. There are many roles at many different levels of expertise and experience.

Many can’t find locals.

Re: U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visa applications

#375

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You'd have to ask them: “Once we squeeze all we can out of the United States, it can dry up and blow away.” —Benjamin "Netanyahu" Mileikowsky

That's the only source that I've heard for this quote: > U.S. intelligence sources report that the one Israeli who is considered an extreme threat to U.S. national security is former prime minister and current prime minister hopeful Binyamin Netanyahu. Not only has Netanyahu visited convicted Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard in his North Carolina prison cell and advocated strenuously for his release, but he was once over…

incredible

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wayne_Madsen_(journalist)#Opin...

Re: U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visa applications

#376

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Attempts to find plausibly deniable rationales for this administration's anti-immigrant policies other than "gutter racism" are ridiculous. Occam's razor. When somebody shows you who they are, believe them. Nativism is possibly the only stable and coherent political ideology this admin holds. Everything else is negotiable, but not this one.

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Don't forget Nazism! (AKA, anyone who isn't left-wing.)

There's nothing inherently wrong with pausing immigration visas. These commenters act like anything less than fully open borders and unlimited immigration quotas makes you Satan reincarnate.

They intentionally over-dramatize everything he does to spread fear and alarmism cause that's all they can do. It's so tiring and nonsensical.

Re: U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visa applications

#377

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not trying to make a political point at all and perhaps a controversial take. But, it’s specifically and maybe implicitly by design. Meaning they made this way precisely so you have to reapply so they can change their mind or block you out later. Nothing about getting a visa is permanent and you’re fully at risk when you move here with that type of status. If you evaluate the situation that’s always been the case.

The cruelty is the point.

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Re: U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visa applications

#378

Earlier quoted context omitted.

H1-B and L1 can actually be done in-country, but for some reading going abroad and get consular processing has a lower chance of RFE.

Based on my experience 20 years ago you could only renew the H-1B visa in the passport in-country under extraordinary circumstances. In the majority of cases they reject your request and would tell you to travel to a consulate. Prior to the mid 00s you could renew at any consulate but they changed it so you could only renew in your home country.

the "only in your home country" change happened very recently, late 2025 or early 2026

Re: U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visa applications

#379

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This was never about talent. It's about companies hiring foreigners on h1b visas at below market wages where their life in the USA is contingent on their job performance forcing them to work harder and longer than their peers to remain in the country. It's a situation that only benefits companies, while harming US citizens who have to compete with the lower wages of foreigners.

I work in a global company. As an interviewer, I don't even know if the person I interview is a US citizen. I don't even know if they live in the US or another country, and I'm probably not allowed to ask. I just rate their performance. And everybody is paid the same. I think the situation is quite simple. Companies want the best candidates they can get, and the larger the recruitment pool, the better. If tomorrow yo…

> I just rate their performance. And everybody is paid the same.

For some visa classes, the law says you should hire an American citizen if they can do the job - not if they rank first at whiteboards or fizz-buzz.

> If tomorrow you were to tell (let say) Google they now need to hire only US citizens, would they lower their hiring bar

Does it really matter? To a point, obviously, but a lot of people are good enough for the role without being the world's best. The bar for getting into Google has dropped since its early days, and Google keeps breaking profit records quarter after quarter.

This entire "hire the best or nothing" mindset has led to a dysfunctional hiring process that's a pain to both employers and employees, and is prima facie unachievable.

Re: U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visa applications

#380

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The first time it happened (2023) it was a non-issue; he did exactly as you said, appointment happened as planned, and then he was back on his scheduled plane trip a week later. Everything post-2025 has been a shit-show. There's no predictability or clear guidance, either from our lawyers or from the state department. Predictability matters a lot in business. If you know what the procedure is and how long it will tak…

Predictability flew out the window with the last election. I simply do not understand how any business leaders supported this, but I suppose the ability to bribe their way out of chaos was appealing.

It's beneficial for the largest firms, the ones that can forge personal relationships with the administration, because it's detrimental to all other businesses. Competitive advantage and all that.
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