The United States has revoked over 10,000 visas in recent months as President Donald Trump ramps up immigration enforcement following his return to the White House, according to the U.S. State Department. Officials characterized the rise in visa cancellations as part of an overarching initiative to enhance border controls and closely monitor foreign nationals.
Since Trump resumed office, more than 100,000 visas have been revoked, which the administration has presented as a significant achievement. Reports indicate that approximately 800 student visas and 2,500 visas for specialized workers are included in this total.
Many of the revocations are reportedly linked to visa holders’ interactions with law enforcement due to criminal activity. However, it remains unclear whether these encounters led to formal charges or convictions, raising concerns among civil liberties groups about transparency and due process.
Deputy State Department Spokesperson Tommy Pigott identified common reasons for visa revocations as overstays, driving under the influence, assault, and theft. He noted that the total number of revocations represents a 150 percent increase compared to 2024.
The State Department has also established a Continuous Vetting Centre to facilitate ongoing monitoring of visa holders for compliance with U.S. laws. This move reflects a broader effort to control who is permitted entry into the country.
U.S. diplomats have been instructed to remain vigilant regarding visa applicants perceived as hostile to the U.S. or those with a history of political activism. In a statement on social media platform X, the State Department reiterated its commitment to removing individuals deemed threats, stating, “We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe.”
The government has reported the deportation or voluntary departure of approximately 2.5 million individuals since Trump’s return to office. Critics, however, assert that this intensified enforcement has led to the deportation of immigrants holding valid visas, along with allegations of human rights violations, including inhumane detention conditions.
The administration has expanded scrutiny during the visa application process, including examination of applicants’ social media activities. This policy has drawn criticism for affecting student protesters and political activists, raising concerns about free speech protections.
While the Trump administration argues that these measures are focused on criminal elements and public safety threats, rights groups maintain that individuals without criminal backgrounds are increasingly being impacted.
In November, the State Department indicated it had canceled around 80,000 non-immigrant visas since Trump’s return to office, with revocations linked to diverse offenses from driving under the influence to theft. Trump has pledged during his 2024 re-election campaign to implement “the largest deportation programme of criminals in the history of America,” after being sworn in for his second term on January 20, 2025.
Concerns have been raised about cases in which visa revocations seem to relate more to political expression than to criminal activities. For instance, the government has moved to strip visas from student protesters connected to pro-Palestinian activism, including Rumeysa Ozturk from Tufts University, who faced repercussions for publishing an editorial.
In another example, the State Department announced last October the revocation of visas for six foreign nationals who “celebrated” the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk online, asserting that “the United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans.”
Public unrest has also been fueled by incidents of force during the immigration crackdown. The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis has elicited widespread protests, with demonstrators questioning the use of force amidst intensified enforcement operations.
This article was originally published by Maktoob Media.
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