New figures from the US State Department show that 85,000 visas have been revoked since January, more than twice the number withdrawn last year.
A State Department official described the scale and categories of the visa revocations. CNN cited that more than 8,000 student visas were included in the total, and officials linked nearly half of all revocations to offenses such as driving under the influence, assaults, and theft.
The remaining reasons were not detailed. The department has previously cited visa expirations and allegations of support for terrorism as grounds for revocations.
Broader Vetting and Policy Expansion
The revocations occur in relation to efforts by the Trump administration to increase scrutiny of immigrants already in the United States and limit those seeking entry. In August, a State Department official said the agency planned to implement “continuous vetting” of “all of the more than 55 million foreigners” holding valid US visas.
“The State Department revokes visas any time there are indications of a potential ineligibility, which includes things like any indicators of overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engaging in any form of terrorist activity, or providing support to a terrorist organization,” the official said.
They added that the department reviews law enforcement and immigration records as well as any additional information that emerges after a visa is issued.
During Trump’s second term, the State Department expanded the criteria under which visa applicants can be reviewed or denied. Recent diplomatic guidance outlines additional areas for scrutiny, including employment related to content moderation or fact-checking as part of “enhanced vetting” for H-1B applicants.
Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced in May a policy restricting visas for foreign nationals who “censor” Americans.
Student Visas and Protest Activity
Some revocations have raised First Amendment concerns. Officials have targeted international students involved in protests related to the war in Gaza, accusing some of antisemitism or support for terrorism. In October, the State Department said it had revoked visas belonging to individuals who allegedly “celebrated” the killing of commentator Charlie Kirk.
In June, the State Department instructed embassies and consulates to assess student visa applicants for “hostile attitudes towards our citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles.” Applicants are directed to make their social media profiles publicly viewable during vetting. A diplomatic cable stated that limited visibility of an online presence “could be construed as an effort to evade or hide certain activity.”
Rubio has defended the administration’s actions on student visa revocations.
Additional Immigration and Security Measures
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has also stretched enforcement, carrying out detention and deportation operations. Refugee resettlement has largely paused, and the administration has said it will review all refugees admitted under the Biden administration.
Earlier this year, the administration restricted travel from 19 countries. CNN reported that Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, has recommended increasing the list to between 30 and 32 countries after the arrest of an Afghan national accused of shooting two National Guard members in Washington, D.C.
Read more on Marking error may have led to wrongful UK visa approvals
