The United States government will conduct a comprehensive review of all US visa holders, affecting around 55 million people. The authorities have said that the review is a part of an effort to identify the visa violations which might trigger a wave of deportations.
Under President Donald Trump, the United States has already sent back hundreds of thousands of illegal immigrants to their native countries in the past few months.
Trump’s major concern is that he believes that the cheap labour arriving from different countries is affecting the American job market and, therefore, leads to low wages and discrimination.
The US State Department has said that permission given to people to stay in the United States can be revoked at any time if there are ‘indicators of overstays, criminal activity, posing any threats to the safety of the people, or engaging in any form of terrorism, or aiding a terrorist, criminal or Narco criminals. The proposed review will be the largest Visa restriction effort in recent US history.
The measure could potentially hamper a wide spectrum of travellers, from students and workers to family visa holders, raising concerns among immigrant advocacy groups about the scope and fairness of the initiative.
“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,” a State Department official said.
Approximately five million Indians are believed to be holding active US non-immigrant visas, including visas for tourism, business, and education, such as B1/B2 visitor visas, F-1 student visas, and H-1B work visas.
Also Read: Trump admin halts all new student visa appointments worldwide
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