Visa Holders Face Heightened Scrutiny Under Trump Administration
"The State Dept. has now made clear that a visa is a privilege, not a right," says Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
WASHINGTON — Legal immigrants across the United States are facing a sharp increase in enforcement actions under the Trump administration, as new policies target green card holders, international students, and visa workers for potential deportation — in some cases, without prior notice or due process.
The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a warning that even permanent residents risk losing their status if they violate laws or are deemed a threat to national security. A recent notice from USCIS stated plainly: “Break the laws and you will lose your green card or visa privilege.”
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The crackdown includes changes in the interpretation of long-standing immigration laws, allowing green cards to be revoked with fewer legal hurdles. This shift comes amid broader efforts to toughen immigration enforcement, which now encompasses individuals previously considered lawfully present in the country.
International students and workers on H-1B visas are also being caught in the net. In an April interview, Secretary of State Marco Rubio warned that foreign nationals participating in pro-Palestinian protests or other activities considered a threat to U.S. interests could have their visas revoked. “Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, any alien who ‘endorses or espouses terrorist activity or persuades others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support a terrorist organization’ is inadmissible to the United States, and henceforth that law will be enforced to the letter.”
Visa revocations have already impacted thousands of students, many of whom were removed from federal immigration databases without prior hearings. Affected individuals were notified via email and directed to cease their academic activities immediately, raising alarms among educators and civil liberties groups.
Employers, too, are feeling the pressure. USCIS recently introduced stricter documentation requirements for companies employing foreign workers, including requests for biometric data and detailed worker records. Some businesses have struggled to comply with the sudden changes, leading legal experts to advise that companies seek counsel before responding to government inquiries.
Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) has called for transparency, particularly in response to reports that international students have had their visas canceled arbitrarily. In a letter obtained by Axios, Jayapal demanded answers from USCIS on the criteria used to revoke legal statuses and whether affected individuals were given an opportunity to respond.
The administration’s aggressive stance on legal immigration has prompted fear and uncertainty among communities that once considered themselves secure. Immigrant advocacy organizations warn that the policy shift is not only impacting undocumented migrants but is now extending to those who have long followed legal channels to live and work in the United States.
As policy enforcement intensifies, legal experts recommend that immigrants and employers stay informed and prepared.
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