The United States Department of State has disclosed that it has revoked more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office last year, including thousands issued to international students and specialised professionals.
In a statement shared on X on Monday, the department said over 8,000 student visas and about 2,500 specialised visas were withdrawn from individuals who had encounters with US law enforcement for criminal-related activities.
“The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas,” the statement read, adding that the action forms part of broader efforts to strengthen public safety and enforce immigration laws. The department further declared, “We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe.”
The scale of the visa revocations reflects the aggressive immigration policies introduced since Trump’s return to the White House. According to the administration, more than 2.5 million voluntary departures and deportations have been carried out, which it described as a “record-breaking achievement.”
However, the crackdown has drawn criticism, as some of the deportations reportedly involved immigrants who held valid visas, raising concerns over due process and human rights.
The administration has also tightened visa approval processes, expanding social media vetting and enhancing screening measures for applicants.
State Department deputy spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, said the leading causes of visa revocations include overstaying, driving under the influence, assault and theft. He noted that the current figure represents a 150 percent increase compared to 2024.
Pigott also announced the launch of a Continuous Vetting Center, designed to ensure that foreign nationals in the US comply with American laws and that visas of individuals deemed a threat are swiftly revoked.
The center forms part of a wider effort to restrict entry into the US. American diplomats have reportedly been instructed to remain vigilant against visa applicants perceived as hostile to the country or those with histories of political activism.
In November, the State Department revealed that about 80,000 non-immigrant visas had already been revoked since Trump’s inauguration, for offences ranging from assault to theft and driving under the influence.
