The Trump administration has doubled down on its hardline immigration stance with a sweeping new policy that could upend the lives of countless non-citizens—regardless of how long they've lived in the U.S. or what kind of visa they hold.
Dubbed the “Catch and Revoke” policy, the directive announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio on May 2 signals a zero-tolerance approach toward visa holders. Under this policy, any legal infraction—no matter how minor—can result in the immediate revocation of visa status.
“There is now a one-strike policy: Catch-And-Revoke,” Rubio wrote in a widely circulated social media post. “Whenever the government catches non-U.S. citizens breaking our laws, we will take action to revoke their status.”
This marks a dramatic escalation in the Trump administration's efforts to weaponize immigration enforcement against non-citizens—many of whom are long-time residents, students, investors, and essential workers.
A Legal Earthquake for Foreign Nationals
While the State Department has traditionally had the discretion to revoke visas under limited circumstances, the new policy transforms that discretion into a broad mandate to cancel visas based on any alleged violation of law. From speeding tickets to unpermitted protests, the administration has signaled that no infraction is too small.
The implications are chilling. Under the new rules, international students, temporary workers, visiting scholars, and even the children of legal residents could find themselves suddenly out of status for offenses as trivial as jaywalking or attending a rally.
In fact, foreign students protesting Israel's war in Gaza have already faced visa revocations. Others have reportedly lost their student status over minor traffic infractions.
“They stripped student visas from people for speeding tickets,” tweeted Aaron Reichlin-Melnick, senior fellow at the American Immigration Council. “Now they're suggesting they'll do the same to everyone.”
Legal Experts Sound the Alarm
Legal scholars and immigration advocates are raising serious concerns about the legality—and constitutionality—of such a policy.
David Bier, director of immigration studies at the libertarian Cato Institute, called the rule “absurd” and fundamentally incompatible with due process:
“Wealthy, skilled people with other options will not settle in a country where their lives can be ruined for a speeding ticket or operating an illegal lemonade stand,” he warned.
The policy does not define what types of offenses will trigger revocation, leaving non-citizens vulnerable to arbitrary and inconsistent enforcement. The ambiguity is likely intentional—and dangerous.
“Visa Is a Privilege, Not a Right”
Secretary Rubio has made clear that, under his leadership, the State Department views visas as privileges to be revoked at will. That framing is a departure from the rule-of-law principles that have long governed U.S. immigration policy.
While immigration status has always been conditional, the radical shift toward immediate punishment without proportionality, due process, or discretion is deeply troubling.
At Saluja Law, we condemn this policy as an abuse of power, a threat to civil liberties, and a deterrent to global talent and diplomacy.
This blanket "one-strike" rule does not reflect the values of a democratic society. It treats visa holders as second-class individuals, denies them procedural fairness, and risks tearing families apart over minor missteps.
We urge all visa holders to consult legal counsel, maintain meticulous compliance with local, state, and federal laws, and be aware that even the smallest violations may now carry devastating consequences.
If you or a loved one is facing visa revocation, we're here to help. Contact Saluja Law to schedule a consultation and learn how to protect your status in this increasingly hostile environment.
Contact Us:
🌐 www.salujalaw.com