On August 21, 2025, the Trump administration announced a review of over 55 million valid US visa holders to identify any violations that could result in deportation, as part of its intensified crackdown on foreigners legally residing in the country.
In a written response to The Associated Press, the State Department stated that all US visa holders, including tourists from various countries, are subject to “continuous vetting” to identify any signs that may render them ineligible to enter or remain in the United States.
Since President Donald Trump took office, his administration has prioritised the deportation of undocumented migrants, as well as individuals holding student and exchange visitor visas. However, recent language from the State Department indicates that the continuous vetting process now applies more broadly. Officials admit the process is time-consuming but suggest it could impact even those currently approved to be in the US, with the possibility of sudden revocation of their visas.
The department stated it is monitoring for signs of ineligibility, including overstaying a visa, involvement in criminal activity, threats to public safety, participation in terrorist acts, or providing support to terrorist organisations.
“We assess all available information during our vetting process, including law enforcement and immigration records, as well as any new details that emerge after a visa is issued that may suggest potential ineligibility,” the department stated.
The United States will no longer issue work visas to commercial truck drivers, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Thursday on X. He said the policy takes effect immediately.
“The growing presence of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailers on US roads is putting American lives at risk and threatening the jobs of American truckers,” Rubio posted. The State Department has not yet responded to inquiries about how many foreign truck drivers are currently employed in the US.
In recent months, the Trump administration has moved to strictly enforce the requirement that truck drivers be proficient in speaking and reading English. According to the Transportation Department, the goal is to enhance road safety, citing incidents where a lack of English skills may have played a role in fatal accidents.
The administration has progressively tightened restrictions on visa applicants, including mandating in-person interviews. What began as a targeted review, mainly focused on students allegedly involved in pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel activities, now appears to have significantly expanded to include all visa holders.
Officials stated that the reviews will cover all visa holders’ social media activity, as well as law enforcement and immigration records from their home countries, and any violations of US law committed while in the United States.
The expanded vetting process will also use new data collection tools targeting past, current, and future visa applicants. These include comprehensive monitoring of social media platforms, enabled by recently introduced requirements that mandate applicants disable privacy settings on phones, apps, and other electronic devices during visa interviews.
“As part of the Trump Administration’s ongoing efforts to safeguard US national security and public safety, the State Department has revoked more than twice as many visas, including nearly four times as many student visas, compared to the same period last year,” the department stated.
Most foreign nationals seeking entry into the United States are required to obtain a visa, particularly those planning to study or work for extended durations. However, an exception exists for short-term travel: citizens of 40 countries, primarily in Europe and Asia, participating in the Visa Waiver Program can enter the US for up to 90 days without a visa for tourism or business.
In contrast, citizens of many populous nations, including China, India, Indonesia, Russia, and most African countries, are not part of the program and must apply for a visa before travelling to the United States.
Earlier this week, the department reported that since President Trump’s return to the White House, over 6,000 student visas have been revoked due to overstays and violations of local, state, and federal laws. Most of these violations involved assault, driving under the influence, and support for terrorism.
Of the 6,000 revocations, around 4,000 were for confirmed legal infractions, while approximately 200 to 300 were related to terrorism, including providing support to designated terrorist groups or state sponsors of terrorism.
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