The State Department on Thursday told the Associated Press that it is conducting “continuous vetting” on the more than 55 million people who currently hold valid U.S. visas, sparking speculation online that there could be 55 million legal migrants currently in the United States.
However, the real figure is far lower, as the 55 million includes all those with visas, such as for work or study, many of whom are not currently in the U.S., according to figures from the Department of Homeland Security. The total number of U.S visa holders can also include tourists from many countries.
Newsweek contacted the State Department for comment on Friday via online inquiry form outside of regular office hours.
Why It Matters
Since his second inauguration in January, President Trump has introduced a range of policies aimed at cracking down on both legal and illegal immigration to the United States. This has included an intensification of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids and a near total ban on citizens of 12 countries entering the U.S.
The overall immigrant population in the U.S. has begun to shrink for the first time in 60 years according to figures from the Pew Research Center.
What To Know
On Thursday, the State Department told the Associated Press it is conducting “continual vetting” of the over 55 million foreigners who hold valid visas, and that any found to be ineligible to enter the U.S. would have their visas revoked.
It came as the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced an intensification of vetting for Green Card applicants, including checking whether they have expressed “anti-Americanism” on social media.
Thursday’s announcement sparked excitement among anti-immigration campaigners, some of whom interpreted it as meaning there are 55 million foreign visa holders currently in the U.S. who could be deported.
The popular conservative Wall Street Apes X account, which has one million followers, posted: “WOW it’s true: The State Department has been tasked with reviewing 50 MILLION VISA HOLDERS that are in America RIGHT NOW.
“Just imagine how much the cost or rent and living would drop without 50 MILLION people here on Visas, and another 20 million illegals.”
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Similarly, Thomas Garrard, a U.S. army veteran with 78,000 X followers, wrote: “I’m no mathematician, but removing 55 million visa holders would probably free up the housing market and lower rents for, you know, Americans.”
Brenden Dilley, a Trump supporting podcast host with 228,000 X followers, wrote: “55 million. 55 MILLION VISA HOLDERS LIVING IN THE UNITED STATES!?” He accompanied this with a meme, or short video clip, showing a man shouting “GET THE F*** OUT.”
However, according to statistics from the Department of Homeland Security in the 2024 fiscal year there were only 3.6 million people in the U.S. on non-immigrant visas issued in association with residency, primarily for work or study.
Non-immigrant visas can also be issued for tourism, cultural exchange program participation and to representatives of foreign governments and international organizations. According to the State Department’s most recent annual report a total of 10.4 million non-immigrant visas were issued in fiscal year 2023, including 5.9 million tourist visas.
Julia Gelatt, associate director of the U.S. immigration policy program at the Migration Policy Institute, told Associated Press the 55 million figure suggests that some people subject to review would currently be outside the United States with multiple-entry tourist visas.
What People Are Saying
On X James Surowiecki, an author and writer for The Atlantic, wrote: “Most visa holders are tourists or short-term business visitors, and many are not even in the U.S. – they have visas to visit in the future or the visas they used to visit haven’t expired.
“But this totally fake claim that 55 million visa holders reside in the U.S. is now going to become accepted as gospel truth by MAGA, and will be mindlessly repeated by people on this site for years to come.”
Speaking to Newsweek on Thursday the State Department said: “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.”
What Happens Next?
The Trump administration is likely to continue its crackdown aimed at illegal and some legal immigration into the U.S., which has been one of its flagship policies. It remains to be seen whether the reported decline in the U.S. immigrant population will continue or intensify in response.