In a sweeping move that has sent ripples through immigrant communities and legal circles alike, the Trump administration announced on August 22, 2025, that it will subject all 55 million foreign nationals holding valid U.S. visas to what it calls “continuous vetting.” The policy, confirmed by the State Department to multiple outlets including The Associated Press and The Washington Post, marks the broadest review of legal visitors in modern American history, encompassing students, workers, tourists, and even those currently residing outside the United States with multiple-entry visas.
According to a State Department spokesperson cited by Fox News Digital, the new process involves the ongoing scrutiny of visa holders for “any indicators of overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engaging in any form of terrorist activity, or providing support to a terrorist organization.” If violations are found, visas will be revoked, and individuals present in the U.S. could face deportation. The department emphasized that it reviews law enforcement and immigration records, as well as “any other information that comes to light” after a visa is issued, in its determination of potential ineligibility.
“We are gathering more information than ever,” a senior State Department official told The Washington Post, noting that the additional workload was not a deterrent. “Time is not my concern; the security of Americans is.” The official underscored the administration’s focus on national security, a theme echoed in statements from President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
Since Inauguration Day, the administration has revoked more than twice as many visas as during the same period last year, including nearly four times as many student visas, according to official statements. Approximately 6,000 student visas have already been revoked, for infractions ranging from minor legal violations to concerns about national security. The State Department’s data shows that nearly 11 million temporary visas were issued in the 2024 fiscal year alone, with 77% for business or tourism and 7% for students or academic visitors and their families.
The policy’s reach is not limited to those currently in the country. Millions of foreign nationals outside the U.S. who hold valid visas are also subject to the new continuous vetting regime. While the federal government has long had the authority to revoke visas at its discretion, the scale and stated intent of this initiative are unprecedented. Section 1201 of the Immigration and Nationality Act grants the secretary of state broad leeway, stating that such documents may be voided “at any time, in his discretion.”
Traditionally, visa applicants underwent vetting at consulates abroad or at ports of entry, with background checks focused on criminal records and national security risks. Once in the country, further scrutiny was rare unless the individual left and attempted to re-enter, or was implicated in a serious crime. Now, under continuous vetting, visa holders remain under constant review, a shift that immigration experts say could have far-reaching implications.
Critics have raised alarms about the policy’s potential to infringe upon free speech and due process. David J. Bier, director of policy at the Cato Institute, told The Washington Post that the administration appears poised to “proactively conduct reviews of social media posts and revoke visas based not on conduct but speech.” He added, “I doubt that’s feasible for everyone, but I suspect that these reviews will be done in a discriminatory manner targeting immigrants with certain backgrounds and in certain visa categories or specific people they want an excuse to revoke.”
Indeed, the Trump administration has initiated new rules requiring visa and green card applicants to make their social media accounts public, with officials screening for “anti-American activity” and antisemitism. Students, especially those involved in campus protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza, have found themselves under particular scrutiny. President Trump has publicly stated on social media that some students have engaged “in pro-terrorist, anti-Semitic, anti-American activity.” Immigration advocates argue that such vague criteria could be used to police dissent and punish individuals for their political beliefs or online expression.
Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, a senior fellow at the American Immigration Council, warned of the dangers inherent in relying on automated systems and imperfect government data. “Government data is imperfect, and many times, the government data may simply be wrong,” he said. “There’s a very high possibility for error.” Rights activists also note that certain infractions, such as participation in protests or expressing support for controversial causes, could be grounds for visa revocation under the new guidelines.
The administration’s crackdown has not been confined to scrutiny alone. In the wake of a deadly crash in Florida on August 16, 2025, involving Harjinder Singh, a 28-year-old Indian national accused of making an illegal U-turn that resulted in three fatalities, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced an immediate halt to the issuance of worker visas for commercial truck drivers. Singh, who faces three counts of vehicular homicide and deportation, had previously failed an English proficiency assessment and could not correctly identify highway signs, raising questions about the vetting process for such licenses. Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins traveled to California to take custody of Singh, pledging that “Florida would hold Singh accountable and ensure justice was served,” as reported by Fox News Digital.
Secretary Rubio defended the new restrictions, stating on X (formerly Twitter), “The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on U.S. roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers.” However, Edward Alden, a senior fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, told the Associated Press that the move could have broader economic consequences. “This action should be seen as part of a concerted effort by the administration to discourage American companies and other institutions like universities and hospitals from hiring and retaining foreign workers,” Alden explained. “The economic consequences will be far larger than just visas being stripped from foreign workers in a few job categories.”
Legal analysts point out that the impact of continuous vetting may differ for those inside versus outside the United States. For visa holders abroad, revocation decisions are typically not subject to judicial review. In contrast, those already in the U.S. may challenge deportation proceedings in court, though the practical hurdles remain significant.
As the Trump administration pushes forward with its expansive vision of immigration enforcement, the debate over the balance between national security and civil liberties is likely to intensify. Critics argue that the new policies risk sweeping up innocent individuals and chilling free expression, while supporters maintain that they are necessary to protect Americans from genuine threats. For the millions of visa holders now under the government’s microscope, the future feels more uncertain than ever.
