The U.S. State Department has announced that it has revoked more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump assumed office last year.
According to a statement posted on the social media platform X, the department said:
“To date, the State Department has revoked over 100,000 visas, including approximately 8,000 student visas and 2,500 special visas, from individuals who came into contact with U.S. law enforcement for criminal activity. We will continue to deport these criminals to keep America safe.”
Main Reasons for Visa Revocations
Deputy State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott explained that the primary reasons for the revocations include:
- Overstaying visa duration
- Driving under the influence of alcohol
- Assault
- Robbery
He added that this represents a 150% increase in visa cancellations compared to 2024.
The department has also established a review center to ensure that all foreign nationals in the U.S. comply with American laws, and that visas of those deemed a threat to U.S. citizens are immediately revoked.
In November, the State Department reported that around 80,000 non-immigrant visas had already been revoked since Trump’s inauguration on January 20, 2025, for a range of criminal activities, from drunk driving to assaults and robberies.
Political and Security Considerations
Under guidelines issued this year, U.S. diplomats abroad have been instructed to pay close attention to visa applications from individuals that Washington may consider hostile to the United States or engaged in political activism.
Officials from the Trump administration have indicated that student visa holders and permanent residents could face deportation for publicly supporting Palestinians or criticizing Israeli actions in the Gaza conflict, describing such actions as a threat to U.S. foreign policy and support for Hamas.
