The Trump administration has launched an expansive review of U.S. visa holders, saying more than 55 million people with valid visas are now under scrutiny for potential violations that could lead to deportation. The State Department confirmed the effort in a written response to the Associated Press, describing it as part of a broader push to toughen enforcement against foreigners allowed entry to the United States.
According to the department, every visa holder, from short-term tourists to long-term residents, is subject to “continuous vetting,” with investigators monitoring for any signs of ineligibility. If violations are uncovered, visas may be revoked, and those already inside the country would face deportation.
Officials stressed that the expanded monitoring would look for overstays, criminal activity, public safety threats, or ties to terrorism. “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 State Department said.
RELATED STORIES
The administration has already stepped up visa cancellations since Trump’s return to the White House, with the State Department reporting more than double the number of revocations compared with the same period the previous year. Student visas in particular have seen nearly fourfold increases in cancellations.
Watch a recent episode of The BreakDown podcast below and subscribe to our channel PanaGenius TV for latest episodes.
The scope of the review raises questions about resources and priorities. Julia Gelatt of the Migration Policy Institute noted that many of the 55 million under review could be overseas with multiple-entry tourist visas. She suggested the administration may be devoting significant energy to people who might never return.
In a related move, the U.S. announced an immediate halt to issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said Thursday on X that “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.” The State Department later said the pause would allow a review of “screening and vetting protocols.”
The Transportation Department has previously emphasized stricter requirements for truck drivers, including proof of English proficiency. Officials argue the changes will improve road safety after accidents linked to language barriers. The State Department added: “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.”
Critics see broader implications. Edward Alden of the Council on Foreign Relations said foreign labor has long helped address a shortage of truck drivers and warned that the policy shift is part of a pattern. “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,” he 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.”
READ ALSO: U.S. reinstates foreign student visa processing with mandatory social media checks
The heightened scrutiny comes amid other steps: mandatory in-person interviews, reviews of applicants’ social media activity, and requirements that privacy protections on electronic devices be disabled during visa appointments. Officials say these measures are designed to enhance national security.
Last year, the Department of Homeland Security estimated there were 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people on temporary visas inside the U.S. While citizens of 40 mostly European and Asian countries benefit from the Visa Waiver Program, millions of others, from countries including China, India, and most of Africa, must apply for visas.
Earlier this week, the State Department revealed that it has revoked more than 6,000 student visas since Trump resumed office, citing overstays, criminal activity, and links to terrorism. Of those, about 4,000 involved actual infractions such as assault or driving under the influence, while 200 to 300 were tied to support for terrorist groups or state sponsors of terrorism.
