Washington: The United States has revoked more than 175,000 visas since Donald Trump began his second presidential term, as the administration intensifies scrutiny of foreign nationals and tightens immigration enforcement. The US State Department released the latest figure on Monday.
According to the department, visas were cancelled for foreign nationals who violated visa conditions, became involved in criminal activity, called for violence against US citizens, committed fraud, misused the immigration system or were considered a threat to national security.
Criminal activity accounts for majority of revocations
The State Department said most of the visa cancellations followed encounters with law enforcement. Among the leading reasons were assault, driving under the influence (DUI), theft and drug-related offences. Other cases involved reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud and embezzlement.
The department also highlighted several serious cases involving foreign nationals accused or charged with offences including rape, sexual battery, kidnapping, human trafficking and sexual exploitation of minors.
In one case, a foreign national was reportedly arrested for driving under the influence while carrying heroin and having a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit. Other cases involved alleged child sexual abuse offences and large-scale financial fraud.
Visa cancellations linked to immigration violations
The crackdown has also targeted people accused of abusing US immigration procedures. The State Department said more than 100 visas were revoked by a US embassy in North Africa in cases involving so-called “birth tourism”, where parents allegedly travelled to the United States primarily to give birth so their children could obtain US citizenship.
The department also cited cases involving individuals accused of making statements supporting violence against Americans or celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Rubio defends tougher approach
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has determined that some foreign nationals may be deportable on foreign-policy grounds. The State Department said the administration would continue investigating and cancelling visas belonging to people it considers a threat to public safety or national security.
The department emphasised that holding a US visa is a privilege rather than a permanent entitlement, signalling that the administration intends to maintain strict enforcement throughout Trump’s second term.
The latest figures underline the scale of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. With more than 175,000 visas already revoked, foreign nationals living, studying or working in the US are facing increased scrutiny over criminal records, immigration compliance and conduct that authorities believe could pose risks to public safety or national security.
