The United States Department of State has announced a comprehensive review of more than 55 million foreigners holding valid US visas for potential violations of immigration rules, which could lead to revocation or deportation.
The move came shortly before US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on Thursday that the country was immediately pausing the issuance of all work visas for commercial truck drivers. In a post on X, Rubio claimed foreign truck drivers were “endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers.”
In a written response to The Associated Press, the department emphasised that all visa holders are subject to “continuous vetting” to identify any grounds for ineligibility. If such information is found, visas will be revoked, and individuals present in the US may face deportation.
Grounds for review include visa overstays, criminal activity, public safety threats, involvement in “terrorist activity”, or support for “terrorist organizations”.
“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 department stated.
Since assuming office in January, President Donald Trump has intensified efforts to curb migration, targeting both documented and undocumented immigrants. While initially focused on dangerous criminals, the crackdown has expanded significantly. The New York Times reported this week that the administration is on track to deport 400,000 people in 2025.
Unprecedented raids have been conducted at restaurants, construction sites, farms, and even courthouses, where immigration agents detain individuals attending legal appointments to regularise their status.
The administration has also moved to restrict humanitarian parole and Temporary Protected Status, programs that have allowed hundreds of thousands from crisis-hit nations to live and work legally in the US.
Student visa holders have not been spared. The State Department revealed earlier this week that 6,000 students have had their visas revoked this year. While officials claim these students “broke the law or expressed support for terrorism,” documented cases include those participating in pro-Palestinian protests or writing opinion pieces – activities protected as free speech. Some affected students had no involvement in activism.