U.S. Reviewing 55 Million Visa Holders, Warns of Possible Revocations

The United States government has announced a sweeping review of more than 55 million individuals holding valid U.S. visas, in what officials describe as an expanded “continuous vetting” process. The initiative, unveiled this week, could lead to widespread visa revocations and possible deportations for those found in violation of immigration or security rules.

According to the State Department, the review will cover all categories of visas, including tourist, student, and work permits. Officials explained that the exercise is aimed at identifying visa holders who may have overstayed their permitted time, engaged in criminal activity, or shown support for extremist or anti-American causes. Social media content and other forms of digital communication are also expected to come under scrutiny.

Authorities confirmed that any credible findings could result in immediate cancellation of visas, even for individuals currently living in the United States. In such cases, the affected persons may face deportation proceedings.

Already, the government has reported a surge in revocations of student visas, with more than 6,000 canceled this year alone, a figure that is said to be several times higher than last year’s record.

The administration has defended the measures as necessary for safeguarding national security, insisting that those who enjoy the privileges of U.S. entry must also uphold the country’s laws and values. A senior official noted: “America’s benefits should not extend to individuals who despise the country or promote extremist ideologies.”

However, the policy has sparked criticism from civil liberties advocates who argue that the expanded vetting could amount to overreach. Concerns have been raised that the focus on “anti-American” views, particularly through social media checks, risks targeting lawful political opinions rather than actual threats, raising potential First Amendment issues.

The move marks one of the broadest immigration enforcement efforts in recent years, coming alongside other measures such as a pause on certain worker visas. For millions of visa holders worldwide, the announcement has created uncertainty about their status and raised anxieties over stricter monitoring of their activities.

With the review now underway, travelers, students, and workers from around the globe will be watching closely to see how the policy unfolds and whether it reshapes the experience of securing and maintaining a U.S. visa.