The increased exposure of risk to the consular staff is insignificant compared to normal life in the economy they're located in, and interviews could very easily be conducted in less harmful ways. Other (Judicial) processes including stat decs, evidence, cross examination all take place online when required. This is lie-detector class legalistic bullshit about f2f requirements. Specious.
This is a pretty bogus decision. But, not an unusual one. US consular services are notoriously finicky to deal with, as any applicant for a complex visa (Iranian nationals, indonensians) or citizenship/residency can attest.
(Not affected party in any way btw, I only go on what my friends who have dealt with US embassies and consulates tell me, and their stories are universally consistent)
This is a pretty bogus decision. But, not an unusual one. US consular services are notoriously finicky to deal with, as any applicant for a complex visa (Iranian nationals, indonensians) or citizenship/residency can attest.
(Not affected party in any way btw, I only go on what my friends who have dealt with US embassies and consulates tell me, and their stories are universally consistent)