The State Department has confirmed that all U.S. visa holders are subject to “continuous vetting” to detect any potential ineligibility.
On Thursday, the department announced it is reviewing the records of more than 55 million foreign nationals holding valid U.S. visas to identify possible grounds for revocation or deportable violations of immigration rules.
In a written response to a question from The Associated Press, the department emphasized that continuous vetting applies to all visa holders, looking for any indication that a visa might no longer be valid.
If such information is discovered, the visa can be revoked, and those currently in the United States may face deportation.
Officials said the vetting looks for factors including visa overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engagement in terrorist activities, 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 President Donald Trump took office in January, his administration has largely focused on deporting undocumented migrants as well as holders of student and visitor exchange visas. However, the State Department’s updated language suggests that the re-vetting process is now far broader.
The administration has steadily added restrictions and requirements for visa applicants, including mandatory in-person interviews. The current review, however, expands beyond initial efforts, which primarily targeted students involved in pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel activities.
Officials say the reviews now cover social media accounts, law enforcement and immigration records in the visa holders’ home countries, and any violations of U.S. law committed while in the United States.
“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 period last year,” the department said.
Earlier this week, the department reported that more than 6,000 student visas have been revoked since President Trump returned to the White House, largely for overstays and violations of local, state, and federal law. The most common infractions were assault, driving under the influence, and support for terrorism.
Of those 6,000 revoked visas, roughly 4,000 were due to legal violations, while about 200–300 were revoked for terrorism-related issues, including providing support to designated terrorist organizations or state sponsors of terrorism.
