The Trump administration has directed embassies and consulates to give preference to visa applications from individuals attending the World Cup and Olympic Games.

Concurrently, the government has introduced fresh standards for highly skilled foreign workers seeking a particular visa. These updated regulations would prohibit entry for individuals identified as having overseen or taken part in the suppression of American citizens on social media via content moderation initiatives that have emerged across Europe and other regions to counter extremist discourse.

In a series of cables sent this week to all U.S. Diplomatic missions that were obtained by The Associated Press, the State Department said visa applications for businesspeople considering “significant investments” in the United States should be at the top of the list for consideration along with applications from those wanting to travel “for major sporting events which showcase American excellence.”

This represents the most recent attempt by President Donald Trump’s administration to crack down on migrants and visitors entry into the U.S. However, given the significant sporting events scheduled within the United States, the administration aims to guarantee that fans are able to attend these contests proceed without issue. These measures are receiving increased scrutiny in anticipation of Friday’s World Cup draw.

Focusing on foreign sports fans

Under a broader initiative designed to regulate the admission of non-citizens to the U.S., the State Department has stated that all individuals needing visas for entry into the nation will be required to undergo an in-person interview and examination to assess them for possible threats to national security.

This situation has resulted in extended delays for appointments at numerous embassies and consulates when seeking to apply for the visas designated as “B1” and “B2”, even with an increase in personnel at these locations.

Last month, Trump announced a new initiative, referred to as “FIFA Pass,” for international visitors coming to the U.S. For The World Cup, will facilitate expedited visa interviews. Nevertheless, he still advised them to submit their visa applications “right away.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the government had deployed over 400 extra consular personnel globally to manage the surge in visa requests for The World Cup. He noted that in approximately 80% of the world, individuals traveling to the U.S. Can secure a visa appointment within a 60-day timeframe, a detail that was noted in the communication.

This week's updated procedures for the cable go further than the FIFA Pass program, aiming to speed up the processing of applications for individuals intending to visit the United States for The Olympics and other significant athletic competitions.

Posts “should ensure sufficient appointment capacity to accommodate spectators and other fans traveling for events surrounding the (World Cup) tournament,” said one of the two cables sent Tuesday. “These should take priority over all other B1/B2 applications, except those related to American re-industrialization.”

Additionally, foreign envoys, public servants journeying for official duties, seasonal farm laborers, clergy members, medical practitioners and nursing staff, along with scholars enrolled in educational establishments with under 15% non-domestic attendance, are also to be given preference.

“Posts should ensure that applicants of higher ranked groups get priority over applicants and lower rank groups, regardless of demand by lower ranked applicants,” the cable said. “Posts may significantly reduce the number of appointment slots available to lower rank groups in order to accommodate demand from higher rank groups.”

New visa guidelines for highly skilled workers

A subsequent cable dispatched Tuesday to all diplomatic missions established updated standards for evaluating H-1B visa requests, directing envoys to “be on the lookout” individuals who might have been or currently are “responsible for or complicit in the censorship of Americans” on the internet and in other contexts.

These permits enable U.S. Businesses to employ individuals possessing specialized expertise that proves scarce domestically, and President Donald Trump has indicated his intention to impose a $100,000 annual fee upon them.

The department indicated that proof of this might result in visa rejection. It characterized such details as possessing “adopting global content moderation policies inconsistent with freedom of expression, complying with global content moderation or censorship demands from a foreign entity and providing access to private data on American citizens in connection with content moderation.”

Evidence of this might be gathered from a candidate's curriculum vitae, work background, online social networking pages and contributions, and public declarations or publications, the cable stated, further noting that the State Department was creating resources to streamline and expedite these vetting processes.

It pointed out that every visa candidate must meet these standards, yet H-1B applicants warrant the most thorough examination “as many work or have worked in the tech sector, including in social media or financial services companies involved in the suppression of protected expression.”

“You must thoroughly explore their employment histories to ensure no participation in such activities,” the cable said, adding that “if you uncover evidence and applicant was responsible for or complicit in censorship or attempted censorship of protected expression in the United States you should pursue a finding that the applicant is ineligible” for a visa.