Trump admin vetting 55M US visa holders for potential violations

Xinhua, Philippine News Agency

The Trump administration has focused on deporting both undocumented migrants and holders of student and visitor exchange visas. (File Photo: The White House/Facebook)

WASHINGTON – The administration of US President Donald Trump said Thursday that it is reviewing the records of over 55 million US visa holders for any deportable violations, part of its escalating crackdown on immigration.

In a statement, the State Department said the “continuous vetting” would allow the revocation of visas, including those held by tourists, if signs of ineligibility emerge, such as overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety or ties to terrorism.

If such visa holders are found in the United States, they would be subject to deportation.

The reviews will cover visa holders’ social media activity, law enforcement and immigration records from their home countries, as well as “any actionable violations of U.S. law” committed while in the United States, the AP said in a Friday report, citing anonymous officials.

The Trump administration has focused on deporting both undocumented migrants and holders of student and visitor exchange visas.

The State Department said on Monday that it has revoked over 6,000 student visas for overstays and violations of local, state and federal law since January.

Around 4,000 of the cases were due to the holders’ infractions of laws, including assault, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs and support for terrorism. (Xinhua)