The US government announced that it will review more than 55 million visas held by people from different countries across the world.
According to officials, the exercise is aimed at identifying individuals who may have violated immigration laws or engaged in activities that could render them ineligible to remain in America.
Speaking to the Associated Press, the US State Department explained that the review will cover different types of visas, including tourist and work permits.
According to officials, the exercise is aimed at identifying individuals who may have violated immigration laws or engaged in activities that could render them ineligible to remain in America.
Speaking to the Associated Press, the US State Department explained that the review will cover different types of visas, including tourist and work permits.
Authorities noted that some of the people affected may not currently be in the US but hold multiple-entry visas, meaning they could also be flagged in the process.
The review will focus on several red flags such as overstaying one’s authorized period, committing crimes, posing a threat to public safety, or being linked to terrorist activity.
Officials added that visas could be revoked even for people who initially entered the country legally.
“We use all available information, including law enforcement and immigration records, when deciding whether a visa holder is still eligible,” a State Department spokesperson said.
In a related move, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the immediate suspension of all visas for foreign commercial truck drivers.
He argued that the rising number of foreign drivers on American highways was creating safety concerns and making it difficult for local truckers to compete for jobs.
“Effective immediately, we are pausing the issuance of truck driver visas. American lives and livelihoods must come first,” Rubio stated on his official X account.
This latest crackdown is expected to spark anxiety among thousands of Kenyans in the diaspora, many of whom work or study in the US under different visa categories.
Immigration lawyers have already warned that mass reviews of this scale could lead to delays, cancellations, or even deportations if any irregularities are detected.
“Effective immediately, we are pausing the issuance of truck driver visas. American lives and livelihoods must come first,” Rubio stated on his official X account.
This latest crackdown is expected to spark anxiety among thousands of Kenyans in the diaspora, many of whom work or study in the US under different visa categories.
Immigration lawyers have already warned that mass reviews of this scale could lead to delays, cancellations, or even deportations if any irregularities are detected.