The US government appears to be expanding its visa crackdown, with a statement indicating authorities will review existing visas of more than 55 million people in search of violations.
All US visa holders, which can include tourists from many countries, are subject to "continuous vetting", a spokesperson from the US Department of State said in a written statement to news agency Associated Press (AP).
This is new language from the department, according to AP, which suggests continuous vetting is now far more widespread than before.
And it could mean that even people who have already had their visas approved could be caught up in visa crackdowns — and face deportation from the US.
Let's unpack what continuous vetting could mean.
Expanding visa crackdown
"Continuous vetting" in the context of visas implies that people will be examined and assessed not just during the process of approving their visa, but afterwards as well.
An official at the Department of State — the US government's agency responsible for foreign policy, which says its mission is to "protect and promote US security" — made the statement.
US President Donald Trump's government has steadily imposed more restrictions and requirements on visa applicants, including requiring them to submit to in-person interviews.
It's now mandatory for the person to turn off the privacy settings on their mobile phone and other electronic devices or apps when they appear for a visa interview.
Initially this process has focused mainly on students who have been involved in what the government perceives as pro-Palestinian or anti-Israel activity.
But the review of all visa holders appears to be a "significant expansion" of this visa crackdown, AP says.
What are officials looking for?
The Department of State said it was looking for indicators like:
- people staying past the authorised time frame outlined in a visa
- criminal activity
- threats to public safety
- engaging in any form of terrorist activity
- providing support to a terrorist organisation
"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 spokesperson said.
If officials find such information, the person's visa will be revoked and, if they're still in the US, they'll be subject to deportation.
Officials say the vetting will include looking at a visa holder's social media accounts, criminal and immigration records back home, and a check if they've committed crimes while in the US.
The reviews will include new tools for data collection on past, present and future visa applicants, including a complete scouring of social media sites made possible by new requirements introduced earlier this year.
Who could this affect?
Anyone with a US visa — including tourists from some countries.
Most people who go to the US need a visa to get into the country, especially people who are there to work or study.
There are some exemptions, however, for short-term tourist or business visits for citizens of countries in the Visa Waiver Program — this allows those citizens to stay in the US for up to three months without having to apply for a visa.
Australia is among those countries.
Do Australian citizens need a visa to holiday in the US?
Not if they'll only be there for 90 days or less — but they still have to make an application to enter.
Australian citizens and nationals have to apply for what's called a Travel Authorization — and the way to do this is via the US Government's Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).
This comes with a fee of $US21 ($32).
However, the Australian federal government's SmartTraveller website for the US reminds tourists that an ESTA approval doesn't guarantee them entry.
"US Customs and Border Protection officials at the port of entry will decide if you can enter the country," SmartTraveller says.
"Authorities have broad powers when deciding if you're eligible to enter and may determine that you are inadmissible for any reason under US law.
"Officials may ask to inspect your electronic devices, emails, text messages or social media accounts.
"If you refuse, they can deny your entry."
How intense has the crackdown been?
"As part of the Trump Administration's commitment to protect US national security and public safety, since Inauguration Day the State Department has revoked more than twice as many visas, including nearly four times as many student visas as during the same time period last year," a Department of State spokesperson said.
Since Mr Trump became president, the US has revoked more than 6,000 student visas.
Most of these — about 4,000 — were revoked because the person violated US laws, the Department of State said.
Some of those violations include assault, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and support for terrorism.
Approximately 200 to 300 visas were revoked for terrorism-related issues.
This included providing support for designated terrorist organisations or state sponsors of terrorism, the department said.
On Thursday, US State Department chief Marco Rubio said the government would no longer grant worker visas for commercial truck drivers.
"The increasing number of foreign drivers operating large tractor-trailer trucks on US roads is endangering American lives and undercutting the livelihoods of American truckers," Mr Rubio posted.
Mr Trump's government has taken steps to enforce the requirement that truck drivers speak and read English proficiently in the past few months.
The US Department of Transportation said the aim was to improve road safety following incidents in which drivers' ability to read signs or speak English may have contributed to traffic deaths.
ABC with Associated Press
