The U.S. government is launching a sweeping review of more than 55 million visa holders to determine whether they have violated entry or residency conditions, with officials warning that visas will be revoked for overstays, criminal activity, or ties to terrorism.
A State Department spokesperson confirmed that visa holders will now be subject to “continuous vetting.” That includes monitoring for threats to public safety, signs of extremist activity, or support for terrorist organisations. Individuals found in breach could have their visas cancelled immediately.
The move is the latest in President Donald Trump’s hardline second-term immigration agenda, which has already included mass deportations, the revocation of thousands of student visas, and expanded travel bans. Earlier this week, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a pause on work visas for truck drivers, citing safety concerns and the impact on American jobs.
The vetting will also extend to prospective visitors and students, who will face scrutiny of their social media activity for any “hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.” State Department officers have been instructed to flag those who promote anti-American ideologies, support designated terrorist groups, or engage in antisemitic violence.
Matthew Tragesser, a spokesperson for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, said America’s benefits “should not be given to those who despise the country,” adding that new policies would “root out anti-Americanism.”
Since Trump returned to office in January, several foreign students have been arrested on U.S. campuses for joining protests against Israel’s war in Gaza, which the U.S. supports. The administration has also imposed steep visa deposits on travelers from Malawi and Zambia, banned entry for citizens of 12 countries, and partially restricted travel from seven others.
Trump has further vowed to end birthright citizenship and has overseen the temporary revocation of legal status for more than 500,000 migrants. The review of 55 million visas marks one of the most extensive checks in U.S. immigration history, with critics warning it could affect millions of law-abiding visitors and residents.