State Department Expands Visa Crackdown, Reviewing 55 Million Foreign Nationals for Possible Deportation

The State Department confirmed Thursday that it has begun an extensive review of more than 55 million valid U.S. visa holders, part of a broader Trump administration push to strengthen national security and enforce immigration laws.

President Donald Trump at the U.S.-Mexico border, April 2025 | WHITE HOUSE

The department said all visa holders are now subject to “continuous vetting,” meaning their status is never fully settled once a visa is issued. Officials are scrutinizing law enforcement records, immigration files, and other intelligence indicators to identify foreign nationals who may have overstayed, committed crimes, or otherwise become ineligible.

“If we find information showing a visa holder is no longer eligible, their visa will be revoked,” the department said in a written statement. “If they are in the United States, they will be subject to deportation.”

Wide-Ranging Security Sweep

The criteria being reviewed include not just immigration violations but also criminal activity, public safety threats, and terrorism connections. The State Department emphasized that even indirect support for a terrorist group can trigger revocation.

Officials revealed that since President Trump returned to the White House, visa revocations have surged. Student visas in particular have been under closer scrutiny, with the administration revoking nearly four times as many in the same period compared to last year.

A deportation flight prepares for departure | U.S. GOVERNMENT

Earlier this week, the department disclosed that more than 6,000 student visas have been revoked since January. Roughly 4,000 of those cases involved infractions ranging from drunk driving and assault to more serious criminal charges. Another 200 to 300 were linked directly to terrorism-related activities, including providing material support to groups designated as terrorist organizations.

Trump’s Hardline Immigration Push

The new measures represent a shift from the early focus of the administration, which largely targeted illegal border crossers and overstays. Now, the review covers all categories of visa holders, from students to long-term residents, highlighting the administration’s intent to cast a much wider net.

While the process is time-intensive, officials say it is a necessary safeguard against potential threats. “This is about protecting American citizens and ensuring that those who are allowed to enter and remain in the United States respect our laws and do not endanger public safety,” one official familiar with the review explained.

The stepped-up enforcement underscores the Trump administration’s broader strategy: not only stopping illegal immigration at the border but also addressing security vulnerabilities in the legal visa system itself.

Border Patrol agents apprehend a large group of illegal migrants near Yuma, Arizona | U.S. CUSTOMS AND BORDER PROTECTION

Critics of the move are already raising concerns about government overreach and the strain such mass reviews could place on diplomatic and academic exchanges. But supporters argue that the security of the nation must come first, and that Americans have long demanded a tougher approach to vetting.

For the millions of foreign nationals currently holding visas, the message is clear: their status is not guaranteed. With the State Department’s ongoing re-vetting effort, anyone violating the terms of their visa—or worse, engaging in criminal or terrorist activities—faces revocation and possible removal from the United States.