Trump administration reviews 55 million visa holders for violations

The Trump administration is ramping up its immigration enforcement with a massive review of more than 55 million valid U.S. visa holders worldwide, aiming to identify violations that could lead to visa revocation or deportation. This sweeping vetting process covers green-card holders, temporary visa holders, and even tourists with multiple-entry visas — including those currently outside the U.S.

According to the Department of Homeland Security, there were 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people in the U.S. on temporary visas last year. But the review targets a much broader group, sparking questions about the value of scrutinizing people who may never return to the U.S.

The State Department said it’s looking for signs of ineligibility such as overstaying visas, criminal behavior, threats to public safety, terrorist activities, or support for terrorist organizations. All visa holders are subject to “continuous vetting” using law enforcement and immigration records, as well as newly expanded social media screenings that require applicants to disable privacy features during interviews.

In a related move, the U.S. is immediately halting the issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers. Secretary of State Marco Rubio cited safety concerns and the protection of American truckers’ jobs as reasons for the decision. The Department of Transportation has recently tightened English proficiency requirements for truck drivers to improve road safety.

Experts view this action as part of a broader strategy to discourage American employers—from universities to hospitals—from hiring foreign workers, signaling tougher immigration enforcement ahead.

Since President Trump took office, visa revocations have doubled overall and quadrupled for student visas, with thousands canceled for overstays, legal violations, and suspected terrorism links.

While citizens of Visa Waiver Program countries can travel short-term without visas, large populations in countries like China, India, Russia, and most of Africa must still apply and be vetted thoroughly.

This expanded vetting signals the administration’s increasing focus on tightening immigration controls across the board — with potentially wide-reaching economic and social impacts.