U.S. President Donald Trump’s administration confirmed Thursday that it is checking more than 55 million people with valid U.S. visas for possible violations that could result in cancellation of the documents and deportation from the United States.
A State Department official stated that “ongoing verification” conducted by that entity, since Trump’s return to power last January, “includes the more than 55 million foreigners who currently hold valid U.S. visas,” without offering details on the timeframe of the investigation.
“The Department of State revokes visas whenever there are indications of potential ineligibility, such as indicators of expired stay, criminal activity, threats to public safety, involvement in any type of terrorist activity, or support for a terrorist organization,” he added.
The official specified that as part of the verification process, “all available information is reviewed, including police or immigration records, or any other information that arises after the issuance of the visa and that indicates possible ineligibility” in accordance with current immigration legislation.
As part of the restrictive immigration policy of President Donald Trump’s administration, the State Department has canceled a large number of visas, including those of hundreds of foreign students who participated in pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s offensive in Gaza.
According to the official, since last January the State Department “has revoked more than twice as many visas, including almost four times as many student visas, than during the same period last year.”
On Saturday, the Department announced the suspension of the issuance of visitor visas for persons from Gaza in order to conduct a thorough review of the process by which a “small number” of humanitarian entry permits were recently granted from the Palestinian enclave, EFE reported.
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