Trump Administration Imposes New Rule That Impacts Visa Applications

New US Visas Rule

Applicants Must Deny Fear to Be Approved

Move Aims to Curb Asylum Requests

The administration of President Donald Trump has implemented a new rule that changes the visa application process for the US.

Applicants must now state that they do not fear persecution in their home countries in order to continue with the process.

Why it matters: The measure strengthens immigration restrictions and directly targets potential asylum seekers attempting to enter with temporary visas.

The rule was communicated through a diplomatic cable sent to embassies and consulates this week.

Applying for US Visas Will Be More Difficult

The US will deny visas to applicants who say they fear persecution in their home country https://t.co/uzuqq9S7sV

— CNN en Español (@CNNEE) April 29, 2026

The document establishes new instructions for consular officers during visa interviews.

Applicants for nonimmigrant visas will have to answer two key questions.

The first: whether they have suffered harm or abuse in their home country.

The second: whether they fear suffering harm if they return.

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To proceed with the process, they must verbally answer “no” to both questions.

If they do not, the visa process will not continue.

The cable states that this measure aims to prevent misuse of the immigration system.

In particular, it targets those who apply for visas with the intention of seeking asylum upon arrival in the United States.

Part of a Broader Immigration Crackdown

The new directive is part of a series of recent changes in immigration policy.

The administration had already increased controls on US student visas.

It also paused decisions on immigration applications to review security criteria.

These reviews aim to ensure compliance with new verification guidelines.

Additionally, in January, the processing of immigrant visas for 75 countries was suspended.

The current rule applies to nonimmigrant US visas.

These include tourists, students, and temporary workers.

According to the cable, officials must prevent misrepresentation of travel purposes.

The goal is to stop applicants from using temporary pathways to seek asylum.

The Washington Post first reported the existence of the cable.

Later, CNN reviewed the document’s contents.

Impact and Concerns About the Measure

A spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State defended the policy.

They stated that consular officers are the first line of defense in national security.

They added that all available tools are used to evaluate each application.

To apply for asylum, a person must be physically present in the United States.

They must also demonstrate that they are fleeing political, racial, or religious persecution.

The new rule could complicate that process from the outset.

Camille Mackler, an immigration policy consultant, expressed concern.

She said the measure puts people in difficult situations.

According to her, it forces them to make decisions that affect their safety and that of their families.

She also warned that it could push people toward unsafe routes.

In her view, those who need to leave their countries will look for alternatives—even if it involves greater risks.

The directive reflects a more restrictive approach to immigration.

It also redefines the role of consular interviews in the migration process under the new US visa rule.