Trump Orders Review of 55 Million Visa Holders as Deportation and Enforcement Surge

Continuous Vetting of 55 Million Visa Holders

In a sweeping escalation of immigration policy, the Trump administration has launched a review of 55 million current U.S. visa holders, restructured deportation enforcement mechanisms, deployed National Guard troops domestically, and moved to strip collective bargaining rights from federal employees. These developments not only impact immigrants and federal workers nationwide but also raise constitutional and legal challenges at every turn. Here’s what you need to know—and how Spar & Bernstein can help navigate the road ahead.

The Department of State has initiated a policy of “continuous vetting” for every foreign national holding a valid U.S. visa, totaling over 55 million individuals. This includes tourists, students, workers, and family members legally present in the U.S. under existing immigration law (Washington Post).
Authorities will revoke visas for any indication of criminal activity, visa overstays, terrorism concerns, or perceived threats to public safety. Legal experts warn that the standard is vague and may implicate people based on social media posts or constitutionally protected speech (Washington Post).

Surge in Deportation Personnel and Enforcement Tactics

ICE is rapidly hiring 10,000 additional deportation officers, offering bonuses of up to $50,000 and focusing on militarized training for mass removal operations (Washington Post).
New ICE recruits are undergoing paramilitary-style training, including gas masks, firing ranges, and tactical drills, highlighting the administration’s preparation for widespread raids and removals. This coincides with Trump’s public promise to reinstate “law and order” across immigrant communities.

Third-Country Deportation Agreements and Legal Fallout

A controversial deal with Uganda allows the U.S. to deport certain migrants to a third country, even when they cannot return safely to their country of origin (Washington Post).
Ugandan officials confirmed the agreement is temporary and expressed unease about receiving individuals that other nations have rejected. The case of Kilmar Abrego García illustrates the legal danger of these policies—his lawyers allege federal authorities threatened deportation to Uganda to force a guilty plea in an unrelated legal matter (Washington Post).

National Guard Deployments and Militarized Domestic Action

President Trump has deployed National Guard troops to Washington, D.C., and signaled similar plans for Chicago and New York City, citing public safety concerns (The Guardian).
The move—one of the first uses of domestic armed forces under presidential crime authority—has sparked condemnation from legal scholars, civil rights groups, and municipal officials who call it unconstitutional overreach (The Guardian).

Federal Union Rights Under Siege

In a quiet yet sweeping move, the Department of Health and Human Services has stripped union recognition from thousands of federal employees and barred union representatives from using agency resources (The Guardian).
This effort mirrors earlier actions taken at the VA and EPA, under the justification that all available personnel and facilities should be directed toward national health and safety priorities. Labor attorneys say the move weakens fundamental workplace protections and violates collective bargaining rights guaranteed by law.

How Spar & Bernstein Can Help

At Spar & Bernstein, we remain committed to protecting the legal rights of immigrants and workers affected by these aggressive federal actions. Our attorneys provide:

• Visa Revocation and Vetting Defense: If your visa has been flagged or revoked due to social media, travel history, or vague “safety concerns,” we can file challenges, represent you in immigration court, and seek waivers or reissuance.

• Deportation Relief and Asylum Advocacy: Whether facing removal, ICE raids, or coerced legal actions, we prepare robust legal defenses under asylum law, CAT protections, and constitutional due process.

• Third-Country Deportation Defense: We litigate against unsafe or arbitrary deportation plans that violate international norms or U.S. legal protections.

• Constitutional Litigation: We assist in cases where military deployments or immigration enforcement may violate your civil liberties under the Constitution.