The U.S. State Department has announced plans to scrutinize all 55 million foreigners currently residing in the United States on visas, as part of an extensive vetting process aimed at identifying overstays, security threats, and potential terrorist activity.
According to global media reports, a State Department spokesperson explained, “The State Department revokes visas any time there are indications of a potential ineligibility, which includes things like any indicators of overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engaging in any form of terrorist activity, or providing support to a terrorist organization.”
The department stated that it would review all available information, including law enforcement and immigration records, as well as new intelligence that emerges after visa issuance, in accordance with the Immigration and Nationality Act.
During fiscal year 2024 alone, the State Department issued nearly 11 million temporary visas.
Of these, 77% were for business or tourism, while 7% were issued to students, visiting academics, and their families.
Since former President Donald Trump took office, more than 6,000 student visas have been revoked.
Around 4,000 were tied to criminal activity, while 200 to 300 were rescinded for supporting terrorism, according to official figures.
Officials acknowledge the massive vetting effort will be complex and time-consuming.
One new measure includes monitoring social media accounts for hostility toward the United States or antisemitic content.
“We are gathering more information than ever,” a senior State Department official said, adding that social media screening would likely extend the review timeline.
However, questions remain about who will conduct the vetting.
The State Department recently informed Congress of plans to eliminate more than 1,870 positions from its 18,730-strong domestic workforce.
Over 1,570 employees have already opted for voluntary exits, while more than 3,400 U.S.-based staff will either quit or be laid off, particularly from bureaus covering Asia and the Middle East.
These changes, set to impact more than 300 offices and bureaus, will result in a 69% reduction in staff across seven divisions.
The sweeping cuts raise doubts about the department’s capacity to carry out its expanded vetting program, even as security measures tighten for millions of visa holders.