The U.S. State Department announced on Thursday that it is reviewing the records of over 55 million foreign visa holders for potential revocation or deportable violations of immigration rules. Officials said all visa holders are subject to continuous vetting to determine eligibility, and any violations could result in visa cancellation or deportation if the individual is in the United States.
Indicators of Ineligibility
The department highlighted several reasons that could trigger revocation, including:
- Visa overstays
- Criminal activity
- Threats to public safety
- Engagement in terrorist activity
- Support for terrorist organizations
“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 said.
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Trump Administration’s Expanded Focus
Since President Donald Trump returned to office, the administration has prioritized deporting illegal migrants as well as holders of student and visitor visas for violations. Previously, re-vetting largely focused on students involved in pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel activity, but the new review is far broader, covering all visa holders.
Officials said the process will examine visa holders’ social media accounts, foreign law enforcement records, and any violations of U.S. law while in the country.
Statistics on Visa Revocations
The department stated that since Trump’s inauguration, visa revocations have more than doubled compared to the previous year, with nearly four times as many student visas canceled.
Earlier this week, officials said over 6,000 student visas were revoked for overstays and violations of local, state, and federal law. Of these, approximately 4,000 were due to legal infractions such as assault or DUI, while 200–300 involved terrorism-related issues, including support for designated terrorist organizations or state sponsors of terrorism.
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National Security and Public Safety
The State Department emphasized that the expanded re-vetting process is part of the Trump Administration’s commitment to protect national security and public safety. Officials acknowledged the process is time-consuming but essential to ensure that visa holders comply with U.S. laws and do not pose a threat.
