The United States is undertaking an unprecedented review of over 55 million visa holders to verify if they have violated any entry or stay conditions. According to a statement from a State Department spokesperson to the Associated Press, these individuals will be subject to "continuous vetting." As part of this review process, visas could be revoked for any signs of overstays, criminal behavior, public safety threats, or involvement in terrorist activities.
This initiative aligns with President Donald Trump's rigorous immigration policies, which have become a hallmark of his second term. Measures taken include mass deportations and sweeping travel bans affecting various countries, in addition to the revocation of 6,000 student visas.
Prospective visitors and students to the U.S. will now face social media scrutiny as officials search for signs of negativity towards American citizens, culture, or institutions. State Department officials have been tasked with identifying individuals who might support terrorism or engage in unlawful acts of antisemitism.
Matthew Tragesser, a spokesman for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, emphasized that the U.S. should not extend benefits to those who harbor anti-American sentiments. The announcement follows Secretary of State Marco Rubio's revelation that the issuance of worker visas for truck drivers will be paused, citing safety concerns for American citizens and the livelihoods of domestic truckers.
Since Trump's administration commenced, arrests have occurred involving foreign students at U.S. universities for participating in protests linked to the conflict in Gaza, a situation that has drawn U.S. support.
Additionally, it was recently mandated that travelers from Malawi and Zambia must pay a significant deposit for tourist or business visas. Trump's administration has also enforced travel bans on nationals from 12 countries and enacted partial restrictions on seven others. Efforts to rescind legal status for over 500,000 migrants have also taken place, alongside Trump's commitment to abolish birthright citizenship.
