The United States Department of State has revoked more than 80,000 visas, including those belonging to Nigerians and other foreign nationals, as part of a broad immigration enforcement initiative under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
In a statement on Thursday, the department described the move as a reflection of Trump’s “promises made, promises kept,” emphasizing the goal of protecting US national interests and enhancing security.
The visa cancellations stemmed from a range of offenses—including assault, theft, and driving under the influence (DUI)—as well as links to terrorism, extremist activity, public safety risks, and visa violations. Data from 2024 revealed that 16,000 visas were revoked for DUI offenses, 12,000 for assault, and 8,000 for theft, accounting for nearly half of all cases.
A senior State Department official said the policy was part of a broader immigration crackdown launched early in Trump’s tenure, which included tighter visa screening, expanded deportations, and increased scrutiny of social media activity and affiliations.
In August 2024, the department confirmed the revocation of over 6,000 student visas due to legal violations and overstays, some linked to terrorism-related activities. Additionally, six individuals lost their visas for social media posts about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced in May that thousands of visas had been withdrawn for behavior deemed contrary to US foreign policy. He also directed diplomats to flag applicants suspected of anti-American sentiment or activism that could threaten national interests.
Officials further cautioned that foreign nationals—including visa and green card holders—could face deportation for expressing support for Palestinians or criticism of Israel amid the Gaza conflict, claiming such positions could be interpreted as backing Hamas.
The mass revocations represent one of the most extensive immigration enforcement actions by the US State Department in recent history, highlighting the administration’s intensified focus on security, loyalty, and ideological vetting in immigration policy.
What you should know
The US government has revoked more than 80,000 visas under former President Donald Trump’s strict immigration policy, targeting individuals involved in criminal offenses or activities deemed hostile to US interests.
The move underscores Washington’s expanding security-driven approach to immigration, social media monitoring, and political alignment checks for foreign nationals.
