Trump Administration To Scrutinise 55 Million US Visa Holders

The Trump administration announced on Thursday that it is reviewing the records of more than 55 million people who currently hold valid US visas. The move, described as part of a broader immigration crackdown, aims to identify violations that could lead to deportation, raising fresh concerns among millions of foreigners who are legally permitted to be in the United States.

In a written response to a question from The Associated Press, the State Department confirmed that all visa holders, including tourists, students, and workers from countries around the world, are subject to “continuous vetting”. Officials said that if new information emerges suggesting a person is ineligible to remain in the United States, their visa will be revoked. If the individual is already in the country, they would then face deportation proceedings.

Since President Donald Trump returned to office, his administration has intensified efforts to remove migrants illegally residing in the US as well as foreign nationals on student and visitor exchange visas. The State Department’s latest language indicates that the vetting system, which officials admit is resource-heavy and time-consuming, has been greatly expanded. What was once focused primarily on specific categories of foreign students is now being applied broadly to nearly all visa holders.

Officials explained that the vetting process looks for several indicators of ineligibility, including overstaying the authorised period of a visa, criminal offences, threats to public safety, participation in terrorist activity, or providing support to terrorist organisations. “We review all available information as part of our vetting, including law enforcement and immigration records, as well as any information that comes to light after a visa is issued which may indicate potential ineligibility,” the State Department said.

In a related move, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the US will no longer issue worker visas for foreign commercial truck drivers. Posting on X, Rubio said the new policy takes effect immediately. “The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” he wrote. The State Department did not immediately provide details on how many foreign truck drivers are currently working in the United States.

The administration has also introduced stricter safety measures for trucking, including enforcing the requirement that commercial drivers demonstrate proficiency in reading and speaking English. The Transportation Department said these steps are meant to reduce accidents, citing cases in which a lack of English-language skills was believed to have contributed to road fatalities.

Meanwhile, the scope of visa scrutiny has steadily widened. In addition to in-person interviews now required for many applicants, the administration has expanded data collection to include social media accounts, law enforcement records, and immigration histories both inside the US and in applicants’ home countries. New rules also mandate that visa applicants disable privacy settings on phones and electronic devices during interviews, giving officials broader access to personal information.

According to the State Department, the administration has already revoked more than 6,000 student visas since Trump returned to the White House. The majority of those cancellations—about 4,000—were tied to violations of US law, such as assault or driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs. Between 200 and 300 visas were revoked for terrorism-related reasons, including providing support to designated terrorist organisations or states labelled as sponsors of terrorism. Officials said that overall, visa revocations under Trump have more than doubled compared with the same period last year, while student visa cancellations have nearly quadrupled.

The State Department emphasised that the new approach reflects the administration’s priority of protecting national security and public safety. “As part of the Trump Administration’s commitment, since Inauguration Day the State Department has revoked more than twice as many visas, including nearly four times as many student visas, compared with the same period last year,” it said.

The administration’s approach has also drawn attention for targeting foreign students involved in political activism. What began as checks on students engaged in what the government described as pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel activity has now widened into a review system affecting nearly all categories of visa holders. Officials insist the expanded vetting is designed to strengthen national security, but critics argue it risks creating uncertainty for millions of people who have long complied with US immigration laws.