United States declares emergency for power grid and pauses immigrant visas

President Donald Trump has declared a national emergency to protect the United States power grid. A White House executive order warns that foreign entities are attempting to exploit vulnerabilities in the electrical system, posing risks to national security, the economy, and critical infrastructure. Under this order, Washington may restrict or prohibit the purchase, import, and installation of certain foreign components used in the power grid, including transmission equipment, sensitive software, and related digital systems, if they pose cybersecurity or operational risks.

Simultaneously, the Trump administration has temporarily suspended immigrant visa processing worldwide. The U.S. Department of State stated the pause is intended to allow for specialized and intensive training for consular officers. This measure aims to ensure more rigorous screening of applicants to prevent individuals from potentially becoming a public charge. The Department of State noted that obtaining a visa is a ‘privilege’ rather than a right, and emphasized that visas may be revoked for those who enter on temporary status but subsequently seek asylum.