The U.S. State Department has launched an extensive review of more than 55 million valid U.S. visa holders, marking one
of the most sweeping immigration vetting initiatives in recent history. The effort aims to identify grounds for visa revocation and potential deportation for individuals found to be in violation of U.S. immigration laws.
According to officials, visa holders are now subject to continuous vetting. This includes checks of law enforcement records, immigration histories, social media activity, and any newly surfaced information after a visa has been issued. Grounds for revocation range from visa overstays and criminal offenses to national security concerns, including links to terrorism or support for designated terrorist organizations. For individuals already in the U.S., a revoked visa could trigger deportation proceedings.
The renewed push comes as the Biden administration intensifies immigration enforcement priorities. Since the effort began, the State Department has already revoked over 6,000 student visas, citing reasons such as overstays, failure to comply with immigration regulations, and violations of state or federal law. Of those, approximately 4,000 revocations were tied to legal infractions including assault and driving under the influence, while 200 to 300 visas were canceled due to terrorism-related concerns.
The department has also rolled out stricter application requirements, such as mandatory in-person interviews, to curb misuse and strengthen background checks. Initially targeting students involved in pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel demonstrations, the initiative has now expanded into a broad, resource-heavy review of all visa categories.
The administration emphasizes that the effort is designed to protect national security and public safety, though critics argue t
hat the sweeping scope could place millions of law-abiding immigrants under undue scrutiny.
With more than 55 million people under review, the outcome of this initiative could reshape U.S. immigration policy, affecting not just students and workers but also families and long-term residents across the country.
