The Trump administration has intensified its crackdown on illegal immigration, launching a sweeping review of nearly 55 million foreign visa holders. The State Department announced the move on Thursday, stating that all visa holders are now under “continuous vetting” for any signs of ineligibility, including visa overstays, criminal activity, and ties to terrorism. If violations are found, visas will be revoked, and individuals already in the U.S. may be deported.

This initiative includes expanded screening measures, such as social media checks and a controversial requirement that privacy settings on smartphones and apps be disabled during visa interviews. The administration also reported that it has already revoked more than twice as many visas—including nearly four times as many student visas—compared to the same period last year.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio further revealed that the U.S. is suspending new worker visas for commercial truck drivers. This decision follows a fatal crash caused by an undocumented immigrant who was unable to read English road signs. Rubio cited the need to protect public safety and support American truckers, prompting the State Department to pause visa processing while reviewing screening protocols.

Since President Trump’s return to office, over 6,000 student visas have been revoked. Officials noted that 200 to 300 of those revocations were due to terrorism-related concerns. The administration stressed that vetting will continue for the duration of any visa, and new information may lead to further revocations and deportations.

The crackdown comes as a new Pew Research Center report shows the first decline in the U.S. immigrant population in over 50 years. The foreign-born population dropped from 53.3 million in January 2025 to 51.9 million by June, due to a combination of deportations and fewer new arrivals.