US State Department to screen 55 million foreign visas, deport rule-breakers
Large-scale checks of US visa holders have begun in the US (Photo: Getty Images)
The Trump administration is conducting checks on more than 55 million foreign nationals holding valid US visas for potential immigration violations, with violators facing visa revocation and possible deportation, according to the Associated Press.
In a written response to the news outlet’s inquiry, the State Department stated that all US visa holders, including tourists from numerous countries, are subject to continuous screening.
The measures aim to identify any indications that nonresidents may be ineligible for entry or stay in the US. If such information is discovered, the visa will be revoked, and if the holder is already in the country, they will be deported.
The State Department noted that the screening aims to identify signs of ineligibility, including overstaying a visa, criminal activity, threats to public safety, involvement in any form of terrorist activity, or providing support to a terrorist organization.
The agency stated that it reviews all available information, including law enforcement and immigration records, as well as any other information that becomes known after a visa is issued, and may indicate potential ineligibility.
The administration has steadily implemented increasingly strict requirements for visa applicants, including mandatory in-person interviews. As part of this process, officials analyze social media accounts, law enforcement data, immigration records, and any other information that comes to light after the visa is issued.
Grounds for visa revocation can include an expired document, criminal activity, threats to public safety, or participation in or support for terrorist organizations.
“As part of the Trump Administration’s commitment to protect U.S. national security and public safety, since Inauguration Day the State Department has revoked more than twice as many visas, including nearly four times as many student visas, as during the same time period last year,” the agency said.
Crackdown on violators
Earlier this week, the State Department reported that since Trump’s return to the White House, more than 6,000 student visas have been revoked for overstaying and violating local, state, and federal laws. The majority of these cases involved assaults, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and support for terrorism.
Approximately 4,000 of these 6,000 cases were linked to actual legal violations, while around 200–300 visas were revoked for terrorism-related issues, including providing support to designated terrorist organizations or state sponsors of terrorism.
According to the Associated Press, most foreign nationals intending to travel to the US require a visa, particularly those seeking to study or work for extended periods.
Exceptions exist under the Visa Waiver Program, which allows citizens of 40 mainly European and Asian countries to stay in the US for up to three months without a visa for short-term tourism or business visits.
However, densely populated countries such as China, India, Indonesia, Russia, and most African nations are not included in this program. Their citizens must apply for and obtain visas to travel to the US.
Starting in 2026, the US will impose an additional $250 fee for each non-immigrant visa, including tourist, student, work, and exchange visas.
Moreover, a student’s social media account may also influence the approval of a US student visa.
