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Emigration and immigration

US State Department to Vett 55 Million Foreigners, Including Overstays and Terror Threats

Strategic Insights

— 2 min read

The U.S. State Department plans to vet all 55 million foreigners in the United States on visas, looking for overstays, threats, and "terrorist activity." The department revoked over 6,000 student visas since President Donald Trump took office, with around 4,000 individuals breaking the law and 200-300 having their visas rescinded for supporting terrorism. As part of the vetting process, the State Department is reviewing social media accounts for hostility toward the United States and anti-Semitism.

Key Takeaways:

  • The State Department plans to vet all 55 million foreigners in the United States on visas, including those who have overstayed their visas, pose a threat, or are involved in terrorist activity.
  • Since President Donald Trump took office, the State Department has revoked over 6,000 student visas, with around 4,000 individuals breaking the law and 200-300 having their visas rescinded for supporting terrorism.
  • The State Department has introduced new measures to vet individuals with visas, including reviewing social media accounts for hostility toward the United States and anti-Semitism.
  • The department is set to fire more than 1,870 people within its domestic workforce of 18,730, and over 1,570 have said they would voluntarily exit.
  • More than 300 offices and bureaus will be impacted, including members of the foreign and civil service whose offices are being retooled or eliminated.
  • The State Department is planning to cut staff across seven divisions, affecting a 69% staff reduction in bureaus covering Asia and the Middle East.

Statistics:

  • 55 million: The number of foreigners in the United States on visas that the State Department plans to vet.
  • 11 million: The number of temporary visas issued by the State Department in fiscal year 2024.
  • 77%: The percentage of temporary visas issued for business or tourism in fiscal year 2024.
  • 7%: The percentage of temporary visas issued for students or visiting academics and their families in fiscal year 2024.
  • 6,000: The number of student visas revoked by the State Department since President Donald Trump took office.
  • 4,000: The number of individuals who broke the law and had their visas rescinded.
  • 200-300: The number of individuals who had their visas rescinded for supporting terrorism.
  • 1,870: The number of State Department employees set to be fired as part of workforce reductions.
  • 18,730: The total number of State Department employees within its domestic workforce.
  • 3,400: The number of U.S.-based staff who will quit or be laid off from bureaus covering Asia and the Middle East and across seven divisions.
  • 69%: The staff reduction in bureaus covering Asia and the Middle East.

Sources:

  • UPI, Aug. 22, "US State Department to vet 55 million foreigners on visas"
  • The Hill, Aug. 22, "State Department revokes visas of nearly 6,000 students since Trump took office"
  • Congress, May, "State Department to fire more than 1,870 employees"

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