The US Department of State has launched an unprecedented review of over 55 million visa holders to determine if any have violated conditions of their visas. This initiative is described as "continuous vetting," according to a spokesperson who spoke to the Associated Press. Visa revocations will occur if there is evidence of overstays, criminal behavior, threats to public safety, or ties to terrorist organizations.
President Donald Trump has made immigration control a central theme of his administration's second term. Policies have included mass deportations, travel bans from specific countries, and the cancellation of thousands of student visas. The new review means that both prospective students and visitors will undergo social media scrutiny to detect any expressions of hostility towards American values or institutions.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services spokesperson Matthew Tragesser emphasized the commitment to policies that eliminate anti-American sentiments, stating, "America's benefits should not be given to those who despise the country." This stance aligns with Trump's recent directive to halt the issuance of worker visas for truck drivers, arguing that the influx of foreign truck drivers jeopardizes both safety and the livelihoods of American workers.
In the backdrop of this crackdown, several foreign students have been detained at US universities for protesting the US-backed war in Gaza. Additionally, new visas for citizens from Malawi and Zambia will now require a $15,000 deposit, and foreigners from 12 nations are banned from entering the US, while further restrictions affect seven others.
In May, Trump's administration was granted the authority to revoke legal status for more than 500,000 migrants residing in the US, and he has publicly advocated for ending birthright citizenship. The ongoing review and additional measures represent a significant shift in US immigration policy, reflecting the administration's focus on national security and American interests.
