U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visa applications • Hacker News Board

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

#891

Post by aveao » Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 4:25 PM UTC

padjo wrote: post #595

samiwami wrote: post #408

Earlier quoted context omitted.

it’s a cut and dry constitutional amendment, it doesn’t matter if Thomas thinks the people that were in mind when it was drafted are not the same people it applies to now. if they want to change it, go ahead and get the states to ratify a new amendment. Supreme Court doesn’t get to throw out an amendment because it’s old.

The funny thing is I bet ending birthright citizenship is an amendment that could actually be passed. You don't have to be a virulent racist to think the context has changed when you can get almost anywhere in the world in about 24 hours. (I'm not sure where I stand on it but I can at least see an argument for revisiting the question)

If you're late enough in your pregnancy that giving birth during your vacation is realistic, you're likely to be refused boarding or turned back at the border. Birthright citizenship tourism is much smaller of an issue than stated.

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

#892

Post by FireBeyond » Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 4:29 PM UTC

jmyeet wrote: post #463

hvb2 wrote: 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 administration is clearly on a war against immigration of all sorts but... we need to be accurate here. This is specifically a pause on immigrant visas. That is, green cards. So this is for family-based green cards and investor green cards through consular processing (ie when out of the country). As yet, work visas and other nonimmigrant visas are unaffected.

And refugees - unless you are Afrikaaner. The US has processed a sum total of 153 refugee visas in the last 12 months for the entire planet that were not Afrikaaner (of which they have processed 10,105, because they are adjudicated to have refugee status by default).

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

#893

Post by scoofy » Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 4:34 PM UTC

jpadkins wrote: post #813

scoofy wrote: post #396

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, anyone who is still defending this administration isn't even trying to have a conversation in good faith. I have a Republican friend who appreciates the Supreme Court Justices, and then suddenly has zero clue about any news story involving the administration, and shrugs off the war. This despite meticulously following Benghazi hearings when it was someone he wanted to dislike. He would rather Trump be Romney,…

I'll defend this administration in good faith on the policies I agree with (I disagree with most of the current foreign policy). In 2015, Trump took a position on excessive immigration and illegal immigration that made him very popular in the Republican primaries, even considering his very obvious character flaws. Like Ross Perot before him, there was a groundswell of support from people who (rightfully or not) feel…

I’m not arguing policy here. My point is Trump is an absolutely terrible person who should be removed from office. It’s not the “I don’t like this policy” it’s “maybe do the policy without being an absurdly cruel person who treats others like garbage”

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

#894

Post by green_wheel » Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 4:34 PM UTC

niek_pas wrote: post #661

green_wheel wrote: post #325

Earlier quoted context omitted.

People aren't simply interchangeable units of economic output, and when they live together for long periods of time they develop unique and distinct cultures that are dear to them. Letting the entirety of the world into your country without stops is cultural suicide. If you put any a value in preserving culture you will find it ethical to put some limit on immigration. Assimilation is possible but there is a limit to…

'Cultures' have never been units of 'insiders' isolated from 'outsiders'. Cultural change is inevitable and there is no reason assume 'changing significantly' is inherently bad. That's what history _is_.

We're not talking about being completely isolated. We're talking about no limits on migration and permanent settlement. Of course cultures change and aren't static. But these no borders people are just as foolish as the no immigration people imo

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

#895

Post by FireBeyond » Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 4:37 PM UTC

consensus1 wrote: post #373

kashunstva wrote: post #178

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Surely you would admit that this Administration’s approach to immigration has been both chaotic and cruel. The workers who were given status in the United States expected a predictable process, not one that changes weekly based on the unserious personal whims of a bored, ill-informed and vindictive man. In any case, the prioritization of citizens’ wellbeing writ large is demonstrably _not_ a feature of this Administr…

The entire point of a temporary visa is that the host country can refuse to renew and force you to leave the country at their whim. When you apply for such a visa you accept those terms.

Immigrant visas are not temporary visas.

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

#896

Post by marcelo_pr » Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 4:40 PM UTC

Another impact in some countries is the fact that these appointments typically happen in one location (where the embassy is based), and people with appointments often arrange travel and sometimes lodging around these appointments. For a lot of people, this will have some extra financial impact.

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

#897

Post by FireBeyond » Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 4:41 PM UTC

0xDEAFBEAD wrote: post #456

epistasis wrote: post #229

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How, in any way does this help the wellbeing of a citizen? Why bring up that very strange point, which is completely unconnected to the massive harm here. If anything, these policies harm the citizens of the US in a myriad of ways. There's zero benefit to be had from any of this. Except for the joy tha tthe cruel feel in causing others misery, but that's not citizens, that's just a few sick people.

>There's zero benefit to be had from any of this. From the article: "Updated guidance and training were being put in place to ensure that visa applicants don’t become a public charge under U.S. law or depend on government benefits intended for Americans in need, a spokesman for the department said Wednesday."

Which makes zero sense, because this has always been the case. When I moved here twenty years ago on a K-1 visa, my partner had to sign an affidavit of support saying that regardless of any contributions I made (paying taxes, social security, etc.), that any "public charge" would be directly billable to her through the IRS. -And- she had to demonstrate ability to be able to meet that obligation. That financial sponsorship applies for the first ten years of the immigrant's residency.

Whatever updated guidance and training is needed here is one of two things, 1) something that could be handled in a matter of days or weeks, or 2) "We have no idea how long this could take so we're suspending it indefinitely" (which is what they're doing), and the "updated guidance and training" is a smokescreen for Steven Miller's agenda of becoming a closed nation.

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

#898

Post by orsenthil » Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 4:45 PM UTC

swat535 wrote: post #878

orsenthil wrote: post #700

I see a lot of comments in this thread in support this stance, as if that is something good for Americans, and say it is not a political statement. One thing that changed my viewpoint was this book. Deaths of Despair and the Future of Capitalism by Anne Case, and Angus Deaton. In it, they make a point that, almost all US economists agree that immigration, both legal and Illegal Immigration, is not the cause for Ameri…

> I see a lot of comments in this thread in support this stance Do you think that they supporting it because they think Americans should have a say in their policies via a democratic process or that anyone in support of this has fallen for a "false narrative"?

Without question, Americans should have a say their democratic process and bring change when needed. They should never fall for the false narrative used to trick them.

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

#899

Post by mcmcmc » Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 4:51 PM UTC

jpadkins wrote: post #828

mcmcmc wrote: post #68

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The first responsibility is to protect the rights of all people in the country. Citizenship is not required for protected rights

If citizenship is not required for protected rights, what is? If myself and 10,000 of my friends migrate to Greenland illegally, does the Greenland government have a duty to protect our rights?

Yes. Your rights do not include entering Greenland illegally. They do include things like being given food and water in prison until you are deported. Protected rights are inalienable, you don’t need to do something to qualify.

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

#900

Post by g3f32r » Thu, Aug 27, 2026, 4:52 PM UTC

999900000999 wrote: post #241

doug_durham wrote: post #197

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.

I’m very pro immigration, but “Americans are lazy and stupid , thus unfit for hiring” isn’t a winning argument. Tons of Americans are out of work. I’ve personally seen my wages drop by at least 20$ an hour as well as the work being less stable. Gasp, you might need to train someone a bit or have employees that will say no if you ask them to work on Christmas. If I ran the H1B program it would be an unrestricted work…

> If I ran the H1B program it would be an unrestricted work permit with an automatic pathway to a GC after 5 years. Don’t get convicted of a felony and here you go.

Why would this policy be beneficial to Americans?