The United States Department of State has initiated a review of over 55 million foreigners holding valid US visas, citing potential revocation or deportable violations of immigration rules.
This move comes amid a broader crackdown on migration under President Donald Trump’s administration, targeting both legal status holders and undocumented migrants.
According to the department, all US visa holders are subject to “continuous vetting” to identify potential ineligibility indicators, including visa overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, and engagement in or support for terrorist activities. Should such information be found, the visa will be revoked, and if the holder is in the US, they will be subject to deportation.
“We review all available information as part of our vetting, including law enforcement or immigration records or any other information that comes to light after visa issuance indicating a potential ineligibility,” the department stated.
This vetting process will scrutinize social media accounts of applicants and visa holders for any “anti-American” activities.
The review process affects various categories of visa holders, including students, workers, and tourists. Specifically, student visa holders have been targeted, with approximately 6,000 students having their visas revoked this year.
The department maintains that these students have either broken the law or expressed support for terrorism.
However, many documented cases involve students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests or wrote opinion pieces, which are protected forms of free speech.
The Trump administration’s efforts to intensify immigration enforcement have resulted in thousands of daily arrests, with an estimated 400,000 people set to be deported in 2025.
Authorities have conducted raids on restaurants, construction sites, and farms, as well as courthouses, to apprehend working immigrants attending civil appointments necessary for legalizing their status.
The government has also sought to roll back humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status, affecting hundreds of thousands of individuals from countries facing adverse conditions who have the right to live and work in the US.
This crackdown has raised concerns about the impact on US visa holders and the broader implications for immigration policies.