Donald Trump's administration has announced plans to review the paperwork of more than 55 million people to determine whether they have racked up any violations that could stop them from being in the United States.
The Trump administration made its declaration on Thursday (August 21) in response to a question from The Associated Press, announcing that it would be taking a closer look at those who have a visa to allow them to spend time in the US.
The group includes tourists who are visiting the country, students granted permission to study and residents living in the US on green cards.
In its announcement, the State Department said all US visa holders are subject to 'continuous vetting' with the goal of weeding out anyone who could be ineligible for permission to enter or stay in the United States.
Advert
Who could be affected by the visa review?
According to Julia Gelatt, associate director of the US immigration policy program at the Migration Policy Institute, the 55 million figure appears to include people who are currently not in the US, but have tourist visas which allow them to enter America multiple times.
There are a number of countries which allow residents to visit the US without a visa under the Visa Waiver Program, but tourists who are not eligible for the program must have a visa to visit.
Advert
If the visa holder is found to have violated the terms of the visa, it will be revoked. If they're currently in the US, the holder could be at risk of being deported.
One particular group of people impacted by a crackdown on visas was announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who took to Twitter to say the country would no longer be issuing worker visas for commercial truck drivers, effective immediately.
Rubio claimed: "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."
What violations are the State Department looking for?
Indicators that a visa holder may no longer be eligible to be in the US include people who have outstayed their visa, those who have been involved in criminal activity, people who may be considered a threat to public safety, and anyone found to be engaging in any form of terrorist activity, or providing support to a terrorist organization.
Advert
Explaining its process, the department told AP: "We review all available information as part of our vetting, including law enforcement or immigration records or any other information that comes to light after visa issuance indicating a potential ineligibility."
Available information, according to the officials, includes a review of social media accounts as well as law enforcement and immigration records, both in the US and from the applicant's home country. When attending a visa interview, applicants must turn off the privacy settings on their phones and other electronic devices.
In using the term 'continuous vetting', the State Department also implied that visa holders will continue to be reviewed even after a visa has been approved.
Why is the Trump administration cracking down on visas?
The State Department announced that its new visa review comes as part of 'the Trump Administration’s commitment to protect US national security and public safety'.
Advert
It continued: "Since Inauguration Day the State Department has revoked more than twice as many visas, including nearly four times as many student visas, as during the same time period last year."
Topics: Donald Trump, Immigration, Travel, US News
Emily Brown