22 Aug 2025 : The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has taken a major step regarding visa regulations. The Trump administration has launched a comprehensive review of nearly 55 million visa holders. The purpose of this review is to check whether anyone has violated visa conditions, and if so, to take action for deportation (removal from the country).
Who will be affected?
This decision could impact all visa holders living in the U.S., such as:
- Students (Student Visa)
- Employees on work visas (H1-B, L1, etc.)
- Family visa holders (Spouse/Dependent Visas)
- Tourists or visitors on visitor visas
- People who have applied for Green Cards
What is the government’s reasoning?
According to a senior government official:
“If any individual’s visa record shows overstay (staying beyond the permitted time), criminal activity, security risks, or any kind of link to terrorism, their visa can be cancelled at any time.”
This means if a visa holder is found violating rules, their visa can be suspended or revoked without any prior notice.
Who is conducting this review?
The review is being carried out by the U.S. State Department and the Department of Homeland Security. Authorities are checking the background of all visa holders, including police records, immigration history, and even court cases.
Why is there concern?
Immigrant advocacy groups have raised concerns about this move, saying that:
- The process may be excessively harsh and discriminatory.
- Many people could lose their visas without a clear reason.
- Such measures could create fear among foreign students and skilled workers.
Trump’s earlier tough measures
Immigration policy under Donald Trump has already been quite strict. Earlier, he had:
- Imposed the Muslim Ban, restricting entry from certain countries.
- Made the H1-B visa process stricter.
- Attempted to end programs like DACA, which affected hundreds of thousands of young immigrants.
What does this mean for Indians?
Millions of Indian students and IT professionals live in the U.S. on H1-B, F1, and other visas. This decision could significantly impact thousands of Indian families and professionals. Those with any complications in visa validity could face deportation notices.
Summary:
The Trump administration is monitoring 5.5 crore visa holders, warning that any rule violations could lead to visa cancellations, signaling stricter immigration enforcement measures ahead.