Aug 27, 2026Politics138 words1 min read

U.S. Pauses Immigrant Visa Applications

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Listen to the story

The U.S. State Department has stopped some immigrant visa applications.

An immigrant visa lets a person live in the U.S. for a long time.

The pause is making many people worried. It is called a 'panic'.

At least 100 people from Hong Kong are affected by the pause.

These people already had interviews planned. An interview is a meeting to check information.

The Trump administration is making rules on immigration stronger.

This is called an immigration 'crackdown'. A crackdown means strong new rules.

Before, the crackdown mostly stopped people who came without permission.

Now, it is also affecting people who are entering the U.S. legally.

Legally means in a way that follows the law.

Many people do not know when the pause will end.

They are waiting for more news from the government.

Vocabulary15 words

immigrant visa: a paper that lets someone live in another country for a long time
panic: a strong feeling of fear or worry
interview: a meeting where someone asks you questions
Trump administration: the government led by President Trump
crackdown: strong new rules to stop something
legally: in a way that follows the law
State Department: the U.S. government office for other countries
applicant: a person who asks for something, like a visa
pause: a short stop
affected: changed by something
government: the group of people who run a country
immigration: moving to live in another country
permission: when someone says yes, you can do it
worried: feeling unsure or afraid about something
rules: things you must do or not do

1. What has the U.S. State Department paused?

2. How many people from Hong Kong are affected?

3. True or False: The crackdown now also affects people entering the U.S. legally.

1. Immigrant visa applications 2. At least 100 3. True

Play the audio again and fill in the missing words as you listen.

The U.S. State Department has stopped some _____ visa applications.

An immigrant visa lets a person live in the U.S. for a long _____.

The pause is making many people _____. It is called a 'panic'.

At least _____ people from Hong Kong are affected by the pause.

These people already had _____ planned.

The Trump administration is making rules on _____ stronger.

This is called an immigration '_____'.

Before, the crackdown mostly stopped people who came without _____.

Now, it is also affecting people who are entering the U.S. _____.

Many people do not know when the pause will _____.