US to review all 55 million visas to check if holders broke rules

August 22, 2025

The United States has initiated a comprehensive review of over 55 million visa holders to identify individuals who may have violated their entry conditions. State Department officials will implement "continuous vetting" of visa holders, revoking visas for those involved in criminal activity, overstays, public safety threats, or terrorism-related concerns. The review includes social media screening for prospective students and visitors to identify anti-American sentiments or support for terrorist organizations.

Who is affected

Over 55 million US visa holders
Prospective students and visitors to the US
Foreign students who participated in Gaza war protests
Citizens from Malawi and Zambia (now required to pay $15,000 deposits)
Foreign nationals from 12 countries facing travel bans
Foreign nationals from 7 countries facing partial restrictions
Foreign truck drivers
Over 500,000 migrants whose legal status may be revoked
American truckers whose livelihoods are reportedly being undercut

What action is being taken

"Continuous vetting" of all visa holders is being implemented
Social media accounts of visa applicants are being screened for anti-American sentiments
Visas are being revoked for violations including overstays, criminal activity, and security threats
Issuance of worker visas for truck drivers has been paused
A $15,000 deposit requirement has been implemented for tourists and business travelers from Malawi and Zambia
Travel bans on 12 countries and partial restrictions on 7 others are being enforced

Why it matters

The comprehensive visa review represents a significant expansion of immigration enforcement that could affect millions of non-citizens legally present in the United States. The policy changes reflect the Trump administration's position that immigration benefits should be denied to those perceived as anti-American. The actions particularly impact international students, foreign workers, and visitors from specific countries. These measures align with President Trump's broader anti-immigration agenda, which he has made a cornerstone of his second administration and could substantially alter the makeup of foreign nationals permitted to enter or remain in the US.

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: BBC