The Trump administration announced on Thursday that it is conducting a sweeping review of more than 55 million individuals holding valid US visas to identify any potential violations that could result in deportation. The move is part of an expanded crackdown on foreigners legally permitted to enter or reside in the United States.
In a written response to The Associated Press, the State Department confirmed that all US visa holders are subject to “continuous vetting” aimed at detecting any indicators of ineligibility to enter or remain in the country. If any violations are discovered, the visa would be revoked, and holders already in the US could face deportation.
Since President Donald Trump assumed office, his administration has prioritised stricter immigration enforcement, focusing not only on undocumented migrants but also on student and visitor exchange visa holders. The State Department’s new language suggests that the continuous vetting process, which officials admit is complex and time-consuming, is far more extensive than previously known, potentially affecting individuals who were initially approved to stay in the US.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, there were 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people in the country on temporary visas last year. Immigration policy expert Julia Gelatt from the Migration Policy Institute explained that the 55 million figure likely includes individuals outside the US holding multiple-entry tourist visas. She questioned whether the resources spent reviewing those who may never return would be justified.
The State Department said the review will focus on possible ineligibility indicators, including overstaying authorised periods, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engagement in terrorist acts, or support for terrorist organisations. “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.
Separately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that the US will stop issuing work visas for commercial truck drivers, effective immediately. “The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio wrote.
The administration has recently tightened English proficiency requirements for truckers to enhance road safety, following incidents where language barriers were linked to accidents. Later on Thursday, the State Department confirmed that it is pausing the processing of these work visas to reassess its “screening and vetting protocols.”
“Ensuring that every driver on our roads meets the highest standards is important to protecting the livelihoods of American truckers and maintaining a secure, resilient supply chain,” the department said in a statement.
Edward Alden, senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the policy reflects a broader effort by the administration to discourage companies, universities, and hospitals from hiring or retaining foreign workers. “This action should be seen as part of a concerted effort by the administration to discourage American companies and other institutions like universities and hospitals from hiring and retaining foreign workers,” Alden wrote. “The goal here is not to target specific classes of workers, but to send the message to American employers that they are at risk if they are employing foreign workers. The economic consequences will be far larger than just visas being stripped from foreign workers in a few job categories.”
Faridah Abdulkadiri
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