The Trump administration is reportedly set to review the records of over 55 million legal migrants within the US, according to new reports.
The move was first reported by the Associated Press, with claims that over 55 million US visa holders will be vetted as part of the expansion of Donald Trump's immigration crackdown and could face revocation or deportable violations of immigration rules.
As reported by the Associated Press, the state department said that all foreigners who currently hold valid US visas are subject to “continuous vetting” for any indication that they could be ineligible for the document, including those already admitted to the US.
If any evidence is found, their visas would be revoked and the individual would be subject to deportation if they are already within the US.
A department spokesperson said: "The State Department revokes visas any time there are indications of a potential ineligibility, which includes things like any indicators of overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engaging in any form of terrorist activity, or providing support to a terrorist organization."
The news comes after Tuesday's announcement from the Trump administration that it will scour individuals' social media accounts for "anti-American" views when assessing applications from people wanting to live in the US.
US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), which handles requests to stay in the US or become a citizen, said it would expand vetting to include applicants' social media posts and "reviews for anti-American activity will be added to that vetting”.
USCIS spokesperson, Matthew Tragesser, said, as reported by the Guardian: "America’s benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies.
"US Citizenship and Immigration Services is committed to implementing policies and procedures that root out anti-Americanism and supporting the enforcement of rigorous screening and vetting measures to the fullest extent possible.
"Immigration benefits – including to live and work in the United States – remain a privilege, not a right."
The notion of "anti-Americanism" had historically focused on communism, however, since Trump regained office in January, his administration has taken a far harder line when it comes to denying or rescinding short-term visas for people deemed to go against US foreign policy interests.
The latest guidance on immigration decisions said that authorities will look at whether applicants “promote antisemitic ideologies”, per reports.
Under the new measures, foreign students are also required to make all of their social media platforms accessible to view by US diplomats so their online activity can be reviewed before receiving educational and exchange visas.
On Monday, the state department said that over 6,000 student visas had been revoked for overstays and violations of local, state and federal law since Secretary of State Marco Rubio took office in January.
It added that in the “vast majority” of the cases, believed to amount to around 4,000, visas were revoked because the holders “broke the law” for crimes such as assault, driving under the influence, burglary and “support for terrorism”.