US Begins Vetting 55 Million Visa Holders, Action Promised if Violations Found

The United States is reviewing the records of approximately 55 million legal visa holders. Those found to have violated visa regulations or engaged in deportable offenses may face visa cancellation or deportation. The US State Department confirmed this on Thursday (August 21), according to Al Jazeera.

In a statement on Thursday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the issuance of new work visas for commercial truck drivers has been temporarily suspended. In a post on X, he claimed that foreign truck drivers are "putting American lives at risk and destroying the livelihoods of local truck drivers." In response to a query from The Associated Press (AP), the State Department stated in a written response that all visa holders in the US are subject to "continuous vetting." If information surfaces after a visa is issued that indicates ineligibility, the visa will be canceled. If the individual is in the US, they will be required to leave the country. The department specified that grounds for ineligibility include overstaying a visa, engaging in criminal activities, posing a threat to public safety, involvement in "terrorist activities," or providing support to "terrorist organizations." Since taking office in 2025, President Donald Trump has adopted a hardline stance on immigration enforcement. Operations are targeting not only undocumented immigrants but also those with legal documentation. While the administration initially stated that only dangerous criminals would be targeted, thousands of people are now being arrested daily. According to The New York Times, the administration is on track to deport around 400,000 individuals this year. Immigration authorities are conducting raids at restaurants, construction sites, agricultural farms, and even courthouses, detaining workers with legal documentation. Additionally, measures have been taken to limit temporary protections granted for humanitarian reasons and humanitarian parole, which had allowed many foreigners to live and work in the US. Student visa holders are also under scrutiny. The State Department reported that 6,000 student visas have been canceled this year, with allegations of legal violations or "supporting terrorism." However, in some cases, participation in pro-Palestinian protests or publishing opinion pieces—activities protected under the US Constitution’s freedom of expression—have been cited as reasons for visa cancellations. Many students have had their visas revoked without any involvement in political activities.