Since taking office in January, the Donald Trump administration has revoked roughly 80,000 non-immigrant visas, including nearly 8,000 student visas, as part of an expansive immigration enforcement drive. A senior US State Department official confirmed the figures, which mark more than a twofold increase in visa cancellations compared to previous years, according to a report by the Washington Examiner.
The administration has also issued strong warnings that foreign nationals who violate US laws or engage in behaviour deemed threatening to national security could face immediate visa cancellation and possible deportation. Officials have indicated that foreigners expressing support for Palestinians or criticising Israel’s actions in Gaza may also be targeted under tightened immigration scrutiny, as reported by Reuters.
The visa cancellations stem from a range of offences, including driving under the influence (DUI), assault, and theft, which together accounted for nearly half of all revocations. Around 16,000 were tied to DUI offences, 12,000 to assault, and 8,000 to theft, according to the State Department. A senior official told Reuters that these three categories alone reflected the administration’s push to ensure “law and order” among temporary visa holders.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the government would “not hesitate to revoke visas from foreigners who undermine our laws or threaten our national security.” He added, “Entry to America is a privilege, not a right. The safety and interests of the American people come first.”
Officials also confirmed a tightening of visa issuance policies, including enhanced social media vetting, expanded background checks, and coordination with law enforcement agencies. The administration has introduced what it calls “proactive visa audits” to detect overstays, fraudulent entries, and criminal activity among visa holders.
In August, a department spokesperson said the US had revoked more than 6,000 student visas for overstays, criminal activity, or violations of visa conditions. A small number were also cancelled for “support for terrorism.” Separately, at least six individuals reportedly lost their visas over social media posts concerning the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which the government deemed as threatening or extremist in nature.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier announced in May that “hundreds, perhaps thousands” of visas had been revoked, including those belonging to students, over activities that “ran counter to US foreign policy interests.”
The State Department has since directed American embassies and consulates worldwide to apply stricter scrutiny to visa applicants with political activism histories or those perceived as “anti-American.” Officials told Reuters that “expressing support for Hamas or Palestinian militant groups” could lead to revocation or deportation, even for valid visa holders or green card residents.
The measures represent a sharp escalation in the Trump administration’s broader campaign to link immigration enforcement with national security policy, a stance that has drawn criticism from civil rights advocates who argue that it criminalises dissent and politicises free expression.
Despite the controversy, administration officials have maintained that the steps are necessary to “restore control” over US borders and ensure that “foreigners who come to America respect its laws, values, and security priorities.”
