By Michelle Ndaga
The United States has launched a sweeping review of more than 55 million visa records as part of a tougher immigration policy under President Donald Trump’s administration.
According to the State Department, visa holders will now be placed under “continuous vetting” to determine whether they have violated conditions of entry or stay in the country.
Visas will be subject to cancellation if there are signs of overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, involvement in terrorism, or support for designated extremist organizations.
A State Department spokesperson said the new measures reflect a renewed focus on national security and immigration integrity.
Applicants and current visa holders will also face social media monitoring to identify potential hostility toward U.S. citizens, government institutions, or American values.
Officials have further been directed to deny entry to individuals suspected of supporting terrorism or engaging in antisemitic harassment or violence.
“America’s benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies,” said Matthew Tragesser, spokesperson for U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to rooting out “anti-Americanism.”
The announcement comes after Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared an immediate pause on the issuance of truck driver work visas, citing safety risks and job competition for U.S. truckers.
Meanwhile, citizens from Malawi and Zambia have been required to pay a $15,000 visa bond for tourist or business travel.
Since taking office in January, President Trump has expanded travel bans to 12 countries, imposed partial restrictions on seven others, revoked thousands of student visas, and allowed temporary cancellation of legal status for more than 500,000 migrants.
He has also reiterated his pledge to end birthright citizenship, signaling an even more aggressive stance on immigration reform.
