Heads up, globetrotters! 🌏 The US State Department just revealed it has revoked over 100,000 visas since President Trump took office nearly a year ago – that's more than double the ~40,000 pulled in 2024! 😱
Who's getting pinged? Business & tourist travelers topping the list for overstays. But student life isn't safe either: 8,000 students and 2,500 specialized workers lost their legal status after brushes with law enforcement.
Why the clampdown? 🛂
- Early 2025: social media screenings for returning students, especially those linked to Gaza protests
- May 2025: pause on new student visa interviews worldwide
- June 2025: screening of all student visa applicants' online profiles
- August 2025: review of 55M visa records for possible deportable offenses
What it means for South & Southeast Asian applicants 🌐
- Stick to your visa dates – overstaying can land you in hot water 🚩
- Keep your social feeds clean; old posts might come back to haunt you 📵
- Monitor embassy updates on interview pauses and new screening rules 📢
Bottom line: US visa rules just got a major upgrade. Planning to study, work, or explore in the States? Double-check your docs, stay on the right side of the law, and remember: your online life matters as much as your real one. Good luck out there! 🤞
Reference(s):
U.S. State Department revokes over 100,000 visas in nearly a year
cgtn.com
