The US State Department has revoked more than 175,000 visas from foreign nationals under President Donald Trump. It marks one of the largest waves of cancellations in recent years, part of a sweeping immigration crackdown.
The department said Monday that the revocations were tied to law‑enforcement encounters and violations ranging from criminal activity and fraud to visa misuse, calls for violence, and threats to national security, reports Al Jazeera.
Officials said the scale of the cancellations reflects the broader immigration enforcement campaign launched after Trump returned to the White House last year. The crackdown has also produced record deportations, including of migrants who held valid visas.
“The revocations come as a result of the State Department’s continuous vetting operations, which ensure that visa recipients abide by the terms of their visa and do not endanger Americans,” the department said.
Among the leading reasons for cancellations were assault, driving under the influence, theft, and drug offences.
Specific cases cited included individuals charged with felony rape and sexual battery, kidnapping and human trafficking, and possession of child sexual abuse material.
A US embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas from parents accused of “birth tourism,” allegedly entering the US to give birth so their children would gain citizenship.
The department also said some revocations targeted foreign nationals who celebrated the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk last year, including one who wrote “when fascists die, democrats don’t complain” and another who said Kirk “died too late.”
Officials stressed that the administration would continue to identify and investigate foreign nationals considered threats to US safety or national security.
“A US visa is a privilege, not a right,” the department said, adding that it would use all available authorities to revoke visas from those who abuse that privilege.
In January, the State Department announced more than 100,000 visa revocations, then a record. The administration has also tightened visa issuance policies, expanding social media vetting and screening.
Rights advocates have condemned these measures, warning that they threaten free speech and amount to surveillance targeting immigrants.
