Translated with AI
The US State Department has launched a massive review of more than 55 million foreign nationals with valid US visas to identify potential immigration violations, the Associated Press reports.
According to the agency, the review covers all visa categories, including student, visitor, work, and multiple-entry tourist visas. It applies to both foreign nationals within and outside the United States.
As part of the review, the State Department checks for grounds for visa revocation, including: overstaying in the United States, committing crimes, threatening public safety, participating in terrorist activities or collaborating with terrorist organizations.
Previously, controls focused primarily on holders of student and visitor visas, but now they extend to all foreign citizens.
For new visa applicants, the rules have also been tightened: at US consulates, they must undergo interviews with the ability to verify social media accounts and apps, and with privacy settings disabled on their devices.
At the same time, US authorities announced a halt to issuing work visas to foreign truck drivers. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that this was due to the growing number of foreigners driving heavy trucks, which, in his view, threatens road safety and reduces the income of American truckers. A requirement had previously been introduced for drivers to be fluent in English.
Experts note that the new restrictions could negatively impact transport sector companies experiencing labor shortages, but authorities emphasize that the measures are aimed at ensuring the security and stability of supply chains.
