The United States government has cancelled more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump assumed office for his second term, marking the highest number of visa revocations recorded in a single year, according to figures released by the U.S. State Department.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the surge in visa cancellations reflects the administration’s renewed commitment to enforcing immigration laws, protecting American citizens, and defending national sovereignty.
He noted that visa privileges are subject to compliance with U.S. laws and values.
Since Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, 2025, the number of revoked visas has more than doubled the total recorded in 2024 under former President Joe Biden.
Officials disclosed that a significant portion of the revocations were linked to criminal offences, including assault, driving under the influence, and other violations deemed incompatible with visa conditions.
Among those affected are approximately 8,000 students, whose visas were revoked for various reasons. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio revealed that some of the student visa cancellations were tied to protests against Israel, with authorities invoking a Cold War-era law that permits the denial or withdrawal of visas from foreign nationals considered to be acting against U.S. foreign policy interests.
However, Rubio acknowledged that several of these cases were later challenged and overturned in court.
In addition to visa revocations, the Trump administration has introduced stricter screening measures, including enhanced monitoring of visa applicants’ social media activity, as part of efforts to identify potential security or policy risks.
The visa cancellations form part of a broader immigration crackdown. The Department of Homeland Security reported that over 605,000 people were deported in the past month, while an estimated 2.5 million individuals voluntarily left the United States during the same period.
The State Department insisted that the actions are lawful and necessary, emphasising that the administration remains focused on enforcing immigration regulations and safeguarding American national interests.
