Ahmed Kamel – Egypt Daily News
In a major escalation of its immigration enforcement strategy, the Trump administration is conducting a sweeping review of more than 55 million individuals who currently hold valid U.S. visas, the State Department confirmed this week. The initiative, described as a form of “continuous vetting,” could result in visa revocations and potential deportations for those found to have violated immigration laws or national security guidelines.
Responding to an inquiry from the Associated Press, the State Department revealed that the review encompasses all categories of visa holders including students, workers, tourists, and exchange visitors and focuses on identifying any indicators of ineligibility. This includes overstaying visas, engaging in criminal activity, posing a public safety risk, or any ties to terrorist organizations.
“If such information is found, the visa will be revoked,” a State Department spokesperson said. “If the individual is already in the United States, they may become subject to removal proceedings.”
While vetting of visa applicants has always been a component of U.S. immigration policy, the scale of this review represents a significant expansion of past practices. Officials said the process involves reassessing individuals based on new or previously overlooked information, including law enforcement data, immigration records, and even social media activity.
The administration’s approach suggests a far broader re-vetting effort than previously known. Until recently, most efforts appeared focused on students and individuals with ties to pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel activism. However, the new guidelines extend far beyond that scope.
Officials acknowledged that the process is labor-intensive but insisted it is essential for national security. The review will include examination of individuals’ social media accounts and any relevant criminal or immigration violations committed either abroad or on U.S. soil.
Since taking office, President Donald Trump has made immigration enforcement a central focus of his administration. His policies have included stricter visa screening procedures, mandatory in-person interviews for nearly all visa applicants, and significant reductions in refugee admissions.
According to the State Department, visa revocations under the Trump administration have more than doubled compared to the same period under the previous administration. The number of revoked student visas alone is nearly four times higher.
Earlier this week, the department disclosed that more than 6,000 student visas have been revoked since Trump returned to office, citing overstays and a range of violations of local, state, and federal laws. The most common infractions involved assault, driving under the influence, and alleged support for terrorism.
Of those 6,000 revocations, around 4,000 were linked to concrete violations of U.S. law, while approximately 200 to 300 were tied to terrorism-related concerns, including providing material support to designated terrorist groups or state sponsors of terrorism.
The State Department emphasized that the goal of this unprecedented vetting process is to uphold national security and public safety. Critics, however, warn that such broad reviews may raise concerns about due process, profiling, and the risk of penalizing individuals for minor or unproven infractions.
For now, the administration shows no sign of slowing its efforts. The comprehensive visa review is set to continue, with immigration enforcement and national security remaining central pillars of Trump’s policy agenda.
