The State Department's Visa Office Managing Director has informed Kathleen Walker, chair of AILA's State Department Liaison Committee, that the processing of visa applications from third country nationals who are not resident in the consular districts of the border posts has been suspended. Existing nonimmigrant visa appointments are being cancelled. The Department of State (DOS) states that this is a temporary measure.

The DOS has indicated that the Department is concerned that the INS may be changing its practices on the borders. This appears to be a reference to readmission after a stay of less than 30 days in Canada or Mexico. DOS does not want to burden Canada and Mexico with a large number of visa applicants whose cases are pending background and security checks, but who may not be readmitted to the US.