Trump administration to vet all 55 million U.S. visa holders

The Trump administration said Thursday it is reviewing all 55 million foreign nationals holding U.S. visas, warning that any violations could trigger immediate revocation and deportation. The State Department stressed visa holders are under "continuous scrutiny," including for overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety or links to terrorism.

The move follows an earlier announcement that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will expand vetting to include applicants' social media, screening for what officials call "anti-American" activity. Critics say the vague definition could give immigration officers sweeping discretion and heighten uncertainty for millions.

On the same day, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared that the U.S. will immediately stop issuing work visas for commercial truck drivers, citing safety concerns and risks to the domestic trucking industry.

"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," Rubio said in a post on X.

Analysts say the administration's immigration crackdown is widening from undocumented migrants and students to nearly all legal visa holders. This could leave many at risk of losing their status.

New Pew Research Center data shows the U.S. immigrant population fell by almost 1.5 million in the first half of this year, the first net decline in decades. The total dropped to 51.9 million in June from 53.3 million in January. Researchers attribute the decline largely to stricter policies, which have led to both deportations and voluntary departures.

The White House argues that fewer immigrants ease pressure on public services and help the labor market recover. But experts warn that the long-term effects may be damaging, with labor shortages in key industries such as agriculture, healthcare and services. With the retirement of the baby boomer generation, they note, U.S. reliance on immigrant labor could actually deepen.