Over 55 million US visa holders and applicants are being reviewed as the Trump administration expands its crackdown on immigration. According to an AP report, this review is meant to identify violations that could lead to deportation.

As US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a pause in all visas for foreign truck drivers, the State Department said nearly 55 million visa holders and applicants are under review.

In a written response to AP, the State Department said all US visa holders, including tourists, are now under "continuous vetting". If any violation is found, the visa will be revoked and the person will be declared "ineligible" to visit the United States.

If the individual is already in the country, the visa will be cancelled and the person will be deported back to their home nation.

The State Department said it was looking for signs of ineligibility, including overstaying the time allowed under a visa, criminal activity, threats to public safety, involvement in terrorist activity, or giving support to a terrorist group.

“We review all available information as part of our vetting, including law enforcement or immigration records or any other information that comes to light after visa issuance, indicating a potential ineligibility,” said the State Department.

Shortly after this announcement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio declared a pause on all visas for foreign truck drivers.

Rubio’s decision followed the case of Harjinder Singh, an Indian-origin truck driver who was identified as the prime suspect in a crash in Florida that killed three people.

In a post on X, Rubio wrote, "the increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers."

In an official statement, the State Department explained that it was suspending these visas to review its "Screening and vetting protocols."

"Ensuring that every driver on our roads meets the highest standards is important to protecting the livelihoods of American truckers and maintaining a secure, resilient supply chain,” the department said, according to AP.

The US government had earlier announced stricter vetting for visa holders and applicants as part of its broader crackdown. Under President Donald Trump, the State Department was directed to examine social media accounts of visa applicants and holders to check for any “anti-American” activity.

Under these guidelines, online accounts must be screened for "hostility" and for whether applicants "promote anti-Semitic ideologies".

“America’s benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies,” said ICE spokesperson Matthew Tragesser earlier this month.