Officials said the measure forms part of a broader immigration crackdown aimed at tightening oversight of foreigners permitted to enter or reside in the country.
According to the Associated Press, the State Department confirmed that all U.S. visa holders, including tourists, students, and workers, are subject to “continuous vetting,” meaning their records are monitored for any indication of ineligibility.
Should evidence arise that a visa holder has overstayed, engaged in criminal activity, posed a public safety threat, or supported terrorism, their visa could be revoked. Those already inside the United States would then become subject to deportation.
The Department of Homeland Security reported last year that the United States hosted 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people on temporary visas.
However, the 55 million figure cited in the current review suggests that the effort extends far beyond U.S. borders, encompassing individuals with multiple-entry tourist visas who may not even be in the country.
State Department defends move
Julia Gelatt, associate director of the U.S. immigration policy program at the Migration Policy Institute, raised concerns about the efficiency of dedicating resources to people who may never return to the United States, underscoring the expansive scope of the initiative.
In response, the State Department defended the review, emphasising that “all available information” is examined as part of the vetting process, including immigration and law enforcement records as well as any intelligence that surfaces after a visa has been issued.
Officials explained that the department is monitoring for “indicators of ineligibility,” such as overstaying the authorised period on a visa, criminal activity, threats to public safety, or involvement in terrorist activity or support for terrorist organisations.
“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 Trump administration has presented the policy as a safeguard to protect national security and uphold the integrity of the immigration system, ensuring that those granted entry do not pose risks to public order.
