The Trump administration on Thursday announced a broad review of more than 55 million individuals holding valid US visas as part of a crackdown on foreigners legally permitted to enter or reside in the country.
In a statement to the Associated Press, the State Department confirmed that all visa holders are subject to “continuous vetting” to identify potential violations that could lead to visa revocation or deportation. The process, officials said, involves examining indicators of ineligibility, including overstaying authorised periods, criminal activity, public safety threats, and links to terrorism.
“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 said.
The move expands President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement policy, which has already tightened requirements for undocumented migrants as well as student and visitor visa holders. Analysts say the scope of the review is more extensive than previously understood, covering millions of people initially approved to stay in the US.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, the US hosts 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million temporary visa holders. Immigration expert Julia Gelatt of the Migration Policy Institute said the 55 million figure likely includes individuals outside the US holding multiple-entry tourist visas, raising questions about whether resources should be spent on cases involving people who may never return.
Separately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that the US will immediately halt the issuance of work visas for commercial truck drivers. He argued that the rising number of foreign drivers “endangers American lives and undercuts the livelihoods of American truckers.”
The State Department later confirmed the pause, citing the need to reassess “screening and vetting protocols.” The administration had already tightened English proficiency requirements for truckers after language barriers were linked to accidents.
“Ensuring that every driver on our roads meets the highest standards is important to protecting the livelihoods of American truckers and maintaining a secure, resilient supply chain,” the department said.
Edward Alden, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, said the policy reflects a broader effort to deter American companies and institutions from employing foreign workers. “The goal here is not to target specific classes of workers, but to send the message to American employers that they are at risk if they are employing foreign workers. The economic consequences will be far larger than just visas being stripped from foreign workers in a few job categories,” Alden noted.
