The US State Department said on Thursday that it is reviewing the records of more than 55 million foreigners carrying valid American visas in search of the possibility of canceling or deporting them due to violations of the migration rules.
Cancellation of the visa and deportation
The ministry explained that if it is found that there is information that suggests an inaccuracy, the visa is canceled, and if its holder is in the United States, it will be vulnerable to deportation.
Non -eligibility criteria
The scrutiny indicators include exceeding the period of residency, practicing criminal activities, threatening public safety, engaging in any terrorist activity, or providing support to terrorist organizations.
A comprehensive review of information
The ministry said: “We review all available information within the audit process, including law enforcement or immigration records, or any new information that appears after the visa is issued and indicates the possibility of non -eligibility,” the ministry said.
Expanding the scope of scrutiny during the Trump era
Since US President Donald Trump took office in January, the administration has been particularly focused on illegal deportation of immigrants, in addition to tightening control over student visas and visitors. The drafting of the new ministry indicates that the re -audit process has become more comprehensive and extension.
Additional restrictions on applicants
The administration has increasingly imposed new restrictions and requirements on applicants to obtain visas, including obliging them to conduct personal interviews. It seems that the review of all visa holders is a great expansion of the mechanism that was previously focused on students involved in supportive activities of the Palestinians or opposition to Israel.
Auditing on accounts and records
The Ministry confirmed that the review will include social media accounts, in addition to law enforcement and immigration records in their countries, and any violations of American laws while they are in the United States.
Numbers for canceling visas
The US State Department said: “In the context of the Trump administration’s commitment to protect US national security and public safety, the ministry has been canceled since the inauguration day more than twice the number of visas compared to the same period last year, including nearly four times the student visas.”
Statistics about students and crimes
Earlier this week, the ministry announced that since Trump returned to the White House, more than 6,000 student visas have been canceled due to the exception of the period of residence or the violation of local and federal laws. She explained that about 4 thousand cases were associated with actual violations, while between 200 and 300 visas were canceled for terrorism reasons, including providing support to organizations or countries sponsoring him.
