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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

#801
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…

It’s 2026 and you causally throw that term “inhumane” because it’s going to make some dollar denominated wage earners life a bit complicated ? Man, what a bubbly life you live in … inhuman it seems lol

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

#802

My company has a H-1B guy that travelled home to India a few months ago and since then can't come back because the next date he can get with the US embassy is next year. Seems he may get stuck even longer... I am to some degree on board with keeping a closer eye on immigration, but the way the current administration does it feels intentionally cruel. The guy at my company has a house, wife, and kids in the US; his vi…

It is intentional.

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

#803
post #691

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> That’s how it’s designed. On purpose. The cruelty is the point. (The UK system requires initial applications from overseas but I believe doesn't require you to leave for renewals)

Not at the moment, but the result of the current UK system has been huge uncontrolled levels of immigration leading to deep public resentment, so that may change in the future

The system has already been changed and numbers are falling (and have already fallen) quite dramatically. See Fig 2 here:

https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/populati...

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

#804
post #565

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The leaving part is not the issue, as you try to immigrate into a country you're subject to the rules that country sets. You're always free to not immigrate into that country (this is not about asylum). The issue here is that, if you just left the country to do everything the country asked you, you are now in limbo. For how long? No one can tell. Does this mean you lose your job? Maybe. And when you decide it's no lo…

> The issue here is that, if you just left the country to do everything the country asked you, you are now in limbo. I feel like I’ve said it a few times but - Yes, exactly. The country wants you to leave and then get’s to decide if you can come back. That’s how it’s designed. On purpose. You’re approaching it from a perspective where you’re being asked to leave and your reentry is a right. It’s not. They never said,…

That's a disfuncional view: "we set the rules, take it or leave it". In Switzerland there are strict requirements, but if you're a law abiding and employed migrant, ie contributing to the country, the services help you fill the paperwork so you can stay.

Even considering the disfuncional way, one thing it's to say "you only stay if we allow". The other is to say "you only leave if you allow": that's a much more authoritarian position.

These policies will work and immigration will lower for sure. Let's see the outcome in a few years.

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

#805
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…

This is for immigrant visas, not non-immigrant ones. H1B is a non-immigrant visa which is mostly used for work. So I think this is a click bait culture affecting all media houses from top to bottom.

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

#806
post #565

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 leaving part is not the issue, as you try to immigrate into a country you're subject to the rules that country sets. You're always free to not immigrate into that country (this is not about asylum). The issue here is that, if you just left the country to do everything the country asked you, you are now in limbo. For how long? No one can tell. Does this mean you lose your job? Maybe. And when you decide it's no lo…

> And when you decide it's no longer worth it, you might even have issues getting back in to get your stuff...

Do they refuse tourist visas for someone who recently had an immigrant visa?

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

#807
post #681

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think you understand anything about an immigration process. All these cases are meticulously documented. So not making a decision is not at all the same as a 'no'. A 'no' you can challenge, a pause not so much. They probably cannot and don't want to actually deny all those applications as they'll be in hot water really quick. So this is just the childish, not wanting to really own it, way of trying to achieve…

I'll pause on the response for now since the condescension is not warranted.

A pause is different from a refusal which is different from a denial. They have different legal ramifications. It's a Kafkaesque hellscape.

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

#808
post #794

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That’s the point. The current people in power don’t want immigrants because the vast majority of immigrants are non white. The tall blond nordics they really want have no real motivation to deal with this bizarre BS as they usually already have a great standard of living in say Norway. So you end up with a ton of folks from places where running water is still a luxury. A lot of these people are even excellent church…

I find the idea the only immigrants can do low skill labor kinda… obtuse. Maybe Americans should pick their own crops instead of living in a delusion that certain labor is beneath them. Boomer era “all my kids are going to get white collar jobs” type thinking isn’t sustainable.

Yet here we are. They even recognized officially (Labor Department, October '25) that Americans are not willing to pick up these jobs.

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

#809

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"Superpower Suicide" in the words of historian Timothy Snyder. Also encompasses the self-destruction of military power, alliances, and beneficial trade.

It looks more like homicide to me. Almost exactly like being pushed out the window of a skyscraper. But who would do such a thing?

The US public, who voted a conman to be their top dog not once but twice? And before that, some oil barons?

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

#810
post #565

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The leaving part is not the issue, as you try to immigrate into a country you're subject to the rules that country sets. You're always free to not immigrate into that country (this is not about asylum). The issue here is that, if you just left the country to do everything the country asked you, you are now in limbo. For how long? No one can tell. Does this mean you lose your job? Maybe. And when you decide it's no lo…

> The issue here is that, if you just left the country to do everything the country asked you, you are now in limbo. I feel like I’ve said it a few times but - Yes, exactly. The country wants you to leave and then get’s to decide if you can come back. That’s how it’s designed. On purpose. You’re approaching it from a perspective where you’re being asked to leave and your reentry is a right. It’s not. They never said,…

Rather than rights and privileges, think about the economic consequences of this. People will stop coming here for advanced study for advanced research and for advanced industry jobs. And most institutions and companies will accommodate this and try to have such people work from where they are vs fight an onerous government to bring them here. The net result will be damage to the US economy
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