In what could spell bad news for NRIS facing criminal cases in the US, the Trump administration has said it is reviewing more than 55 million people who have valid US visas for any violations that could lead to deportation.

It is estimated that 5 million Indians hold US non-immigrant visas. These include visas for tourism, business, and education, such as B1/B2 visitor visas, F-1 student visas, and H-1B work visas.

According to the Associated Press, the State Department said all U.S. visa holders, which can include tourists from many countries, are subject to “continuous vetting,” with an eye toward any indication they could be ineligible for permission to enter or stay in the United States.

Should such information be found, the visa will be revoked, and if the visa holder is in the United States, he or she would be subject to deportation.

The Trump administration been active in deporting migrants who are illegally in the United States as well as holders of student and visitor exchange visas. The State Department’s new language suggests that the continual vetting process, which officials acknowledge is time-consuming, is far more widespread and could mean even those approved to be in the US could abruptly see those permissions revoked.

There were 12.8 million green-card holders and 3.6 million people in the US on temporary visas last year, according to the Department of Homeland Security. – Image by freepik –  editor@nrifocus.com