- The US government has launched a sweeping review of over 55 million visa holders, introducing continuous vetting to identify overstays, criminal activity, and perceived threats.
- Under President Trump’s second administration, immigration policies have tightened dramatically, including mass deportations, travel bans, and social media surveillance.
- Recent measures include a $15,000 visa deposit for citizens of Malawi and Zambia, a pause on truck driver visas, and arrests of foreign students protesting US-backed wars.
- The administration has also moved to revoke legal status for hundreds of thousands of migrants and is pushing to end birthright citizenship.
The United States is ramping up its immigration crackdown, launching a massive review of more than 55 million visa holders to determine whether they’ve violated the terms of their stay. The new policy introduces “continuous vetting,” allowing authorities to monitor visa holders for signs of overstaying, criminal behavior, or perceived threats to public safety and national security.
Under President Donald Trump’s second term, immigration enforcement has become a central focus. His administration has already revoked thousands of student visas, imposed travel bans on 12 countries, and introduced partial restrictions on seven more. Now, the spotlight is on social media activity, with officials scanning online posts for signs of hostility toward American values, institutions, or citizens.
The crackdown isn’t limited to digital footprints. Foreign students have been arrested on US campuses for participating in protests against the war in Gaza, while truck drivers from abroad are facing a sudden freeze on visa issuance. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently announced an immediate halt to worker visas for foreign truckers, citing safety concerns and economic competition.
In a move that’s sparked outrage across Africa, the US has also introduced a $15,000 deposit requirement for tourist and business visa applicants from Malawi and Zambia. Critics say the policy is discriminatory and places an unfair burden on travelers from developing nations.
Meanwhile, the administration has been granted temporary authority to revoke the legal status of over 500,000 migrants living in the US — a decision that could reshape the lives of families across the country. Trump has also renewed his push to end birthright citizenship, a move that would challenge long-standing interpretations of the US Constitution.
As the vetting intensifies, many visa holders are left uncertain about their future in the country.
