The US State Department announced on Thursday that it will continuously scrutinize over 55 million US visa holders, including tourists and students, for any violations of state and federal laws. This decision implies that if any unlawful activities are identified, the individual’s visa will be revoked, as reported by multiple sources, including AP news agency and US political website The Hill.
In the case of visa holders physically present in the US, they are liable to face deportation, according to the department. The primary focus includes people staying past their visa’s specified timeframe, criminal activities, threats to public safety, involvement in terrorist activities, or providing support to terrorist groups.
This announcement marks a significant escalation of the Trump administration’s efforts to tighten restrictions on unauthorized immigrants, as well as those on student and visitor exchange visas. Additionally, screenings for “anti-American” sentiments and antisemitism, including social media activity, will now be a part of the immigration vetting process.
Last week, the State Department revealed having revoked more than 6,000 student visas due to overstays and violations since US President Donald Trump’s return to the White House in January. The majority of these revocations were due to assault, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and support for terrorism.
International student enrollment is expected to decline in 2025 due to policy changes; however, nearly 1.6 million foreign students studied in the US in 2024. The US also announced an immediate stop to issuing work visas for commercial truck drivers, Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated. This decision was influenced by a fatal crash in Florida involving an Indian national truck driver not legally authorized to be in the US. Meanwhile, the American Trucking Association has dismissed claims that millions of foreign truck drivers are flooding the US, displacing American workers and compromising highway safety.
Edited by: Karl Sexton
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/us-to-review-all-visa-holders-stop-truck-driver-visas/a-73726131?maca=en-rss-en-all-1573-rdf
