The Trump administration has initiated an extensive evaluation of over 55 million foreign nationals holding U.S. visas. This unprecedented operation, as confirmed by the State Department in its written statement to the Associated Press on Thursday, signals a heightened focus on immigration monitoring and a commitment to subject all individuals legally permitted to enter or stay in the United States to “continuous vetting.”
State Department officials have indicated that the primary objective is to identify any violations that could make an individual “ineligible” to maintain their visa status. Should such violations be discovered, the visa would be promptly canceled. For those already within U.S. borders, deportation proceedings could be initiated, according to the Associated Press.
“We review all available information as part of our vetting process, including law enforcement or immigration records, as well as any other information that may emerge after a visa is issued indicating potential ineligibility,” the State Department said.
Previously, such scrutiny was mainly directed at students and cultural exchange visitors, who were occasionally suspected of participating in activities deemed politically sensitive by Washington. However, the administration’s new approach appears to be generalized, suggesting that even those with tourist or work visas who have maintained good standing could face unexpected visa revocations.
Key concerns triggering visa reviews include visa duration violations, criminal history, potential threats to public safety, and any connections to terrorist activities, whether direct or indirect.
American officials have verified that the current review process incorporates a systematic analysis of visa holders’ social media accounts. Advanced digital technologies now enable authorities to gather and consolidate this information. Starting this year, visa applicants must remove privacy restrictions on their mobile devices and applications during consular interviews.
While authorities present this as a technological step forward for national security, critics argue it represents a significant violation of privacy rights and personal liberties.
Since Donald Trump’s return to the White House, the State Department reports revoking “more than twice as many visas” compared to the previous year’s corresponding period. The surge is particularly notable among students, with “nearly four times as many student visas” being terminated, according to official statements reported by the Associated Press.
This week, U.S. officials disclosed that over 6,000 student visas were canceled due to overstays or violations of various laws. Approximately 4,000 of these cancellations involved criminal violations, including assault and drunk driving offenses. Between 200 and 300 cases were connected to terrorism-related charges, such as supporting designated terrorist organizations or state sponsors of terrorism.
Most foreign nationals seeking U.S. entry must secure a visa, particularly for study or work purposes. Only citizens from 40 countries, primarily in Europe and Asia, qualify for the Visa Waiver Program, allowing brief stays without prior visa applications.
Major populous nations including China, India, Indonesia, Russia, and virtually all African countries are not part of this program. Consequently, their citizens face direct implications from this new massive review of 55 million cases.
The State Department defends this approach on security grounds: “As part of the Trump Administration’s commitment to protect U.S. national security and public safety, we have intensified visa vetting and revocation procedures.”
This initiative aligns with Trump’s campaign promises, which stressed stricter immigration control and enhanced entry requirements. While supporters view these measures as crucial security safeguards, critics argue that this represents another move toward an ultra-restrictive immigration policy, potentially hampering international academic collaboration, cultural exchange, and economic partnerships.
Source: Associated Press.
