Trump expands visa vetting, halts foreign trucker permits
4 Min Read
The Trump administration escalates its anti-immigrant agenda, targeting over 55 million visa holders for mass scrutiny, revocations, and deportations while blocking foreign workers.
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US President Donald Trump tours "Alligator Alcatraz," a new migrant detention facility at Dade-Collier Training and Transition facility, on July 1, 2025, in Ochopee, Fla. (AP)
The Trump administration announced Thursday that it is scrutinizing more than 55 million individuals holding valid US visas to identify 'potential violations' that could result in revocation and deportation.
In a statement to the Associated Press, the State Department confirmed that all visa holders are subject to “continuous vetting,” designed to flag any evidence suggesting they may no longer be eligible to enter or remain in the country.
Should violations be uncovered, officials said, visas will be cancelled, and those already in the United States could face removal proceedings.
This marks an expansion of the administration’s immigration enforcement strategy, which previously focused largely on undocumented migrants and students or exchange visitors who overstayed their visas. According to the Department of Homeland Security, there were 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people on temporary visas in the US last year.
The 55 million figure, experts note, also includes individuals currently abroad on multiple-entry visas. Julia Gelatt of the Migration Policy Institute questioned the value of devoting resources to reviewing travelers who may not return to the US.
Grounds for ineligibility and revocation
The State Department said the review targets visa holders suspected of overstaying their permitted time, committing crimes, posing public safety threats, or engaging in terrorism or supporting terrorist organizations.
“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.
Halt on worker visas for commercial truck drivers
Separately, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on X that the US will no longer issue worker visas for commercial truck drivers, citing 'safety concerns and economic impacts on American workers'.
“The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers,” Rubio posted, adding that the decision takes immediate effect.
The move reportedly follows earlier steps to enforce English language proficiency requirements for truckers to improve road safety. The State Department later said it had paused visa processing for commercial drivers to review its “screening and vetting protocols.”
Edward Alden of the Council on Foreign Relations said the decision signals a broader attempt to deter US employers from relying on foreign labor. “The goal here is not to target specific classes of workers, but to send the message to American employers that they are at risk if they are employing foreign workers,” Alden wrote.
A significant expansion of vetting procedures
The review of all visa holders represents a major expansion of previous policies, which primarily targeted students suspected of engaging in activities deemed politically sensitive by the administration.
Officials said the new measures involve reviewing social media activity, law enforcement records, and other data to detect violations of US law. Applicants are now required to disable privacy settings on electronic devices and apps during visa interviews to facilitate deeper scrutiny.
“As part of the Trump Administration’s commitment to protect US national security and public safety, since Inauguration Day the State Department has revoked more than twice as many visas, including nearly four times as many student visas, as during the same time period last year,” the department said.
Scope and impact of visa revocations
Most foreign nationals seeking to enter the US require visas, with limited exceptions for travelers from 40 countries in the Visa Waiver Program, which allows short-term stays without prior approval. However, citizens from populous nations such as China, India, Russia, and most African countries must still secure visas for entry.
The State Department revealed that since Trump’s return to office, more than 6,000 student visas have been revoked for overstays or legal violations, including a small number linked to terrorism-related activity.
Approximately 4,000 revocations were due to direct legal infractions, with 200 to 300 cases connected to alleged support for "designated terrorist groups or state sponsors of terrorism".
