55 million US visas under review; Revocation fears rise, leaving Indians worried

Washington: The US State Department has warned that all 55 million foreigners holding visas are under continuous review, as President Donald Trump intensifies his immigration crackdown. The move is likely to leave Indians too in worry, given their large numbers among US visa holders.

A State Department official confirmed, “The Department's continuous vetting includes all of the more than 55 million foreigners who currently hold valid US visas.”

Visas are revoked whenever there are “indications of a potential ineligibility,” the official added, citing overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, involvement in terrorist activity, or support for a terrorist organisation.

Student visas under scanner

Although not all visas are under active review, the official clarified that the administration considered them fair game. Speaking on customary condition of anonymity, the official noted special attention on student visas.

“We're reviewing all student visas,” the official said, adding that social media activity of applicants is being “constantly monitored,” which is now a requirement in visa applications.

Rubio targets protesters

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has invoked an obscure law to revoke visas of anti-Israel protesters, saying it aligns with US foreign policy interests.

The State Department stated that 6,000 visas have been revoked since Rubio assumed office in January with Trump. This is four times the number of student visas cancelled during the same period the previous year under president Joe Biden.

Rubio argued that the administration can issue and revoke visas without judicial review and stressed that non-US citizens are not entitled to constitutional free speech rights.

Court setbacks

However, two high-profile cases have gone against the administration.

Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident who led pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, was freed by a judge in June.

In May, Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish graduate student at Tufts University who criticised Israel in a campus newspaper, was also freed by a judge pending further arguments.

With AFP inputs