The United States government has cancelled more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office on a strong anti-migrant agenda, marking the highest number of visa revocations recorded within a single year, according to the State Department.
Speaking on Monday, State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the administration remains firmly focused on national interests and domestic security.
“The Trump administration has no higher priority than protecting American citizens and upholding American sovereignty,” Pigott stated.
Data released by the department shows that the number of visas revoked since Trump’s second inauguration on January 20, 2025, is about two and a half times higher than the total recorded in 2024, when former President Joe Biden was still in office.
Officials disclosed that “thousands” of the cancelled visas were linked to criminal activity, with offences ranging from assault to drunk driving, among other violations.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also openly defended the revocation of visas belonging to foreign students who participated in protests against Israel, a move that has drawn both domestic and international scrutiny.
Rubio relied on a law dating back to the McCarthy era, which grants the United States authority to deny entry to foreign nationals considered to be acting against US foreign policy interests. Despite this, some of the individuals targeted under the policy have successfully challenged deportation orders in court.
According to the State Department, approximately 8,000 of the revoked visas were issued to students, reflecting the administration’s tougher stance on foreign nationals studying in the country.
Beyond revocations, the Trump administration has also intensified screening procedures for visa applicants, including expanded efforts to review social media activity of prospective visitors as part of the vetting process.
The widespread visa cancellations form part of a broader strategy centred on mass deportations, which authorities say is being enforced through an increased deployment of federal immigration agents.
Last month, the Department of Homeland Security reported that more than 605,000 people had been deported since the start of the current administration, while an additional 2.5 million individuals reportedly left the country voluntarily.
What you should know
Visa revocations and deportations have become central to President Trump’s second-term immigration policy, which prioritises border control, national security, and strict enforcement of immigration laws.
The administration’s approach includes tougher background checks, expanded surveillance of visa holders, and aggressive deportation efforts.
These policies have sparked legal challenges and debate over civil liberties, foreign policy implications, and the treatment of students and migrants, particularly amid heightened global political tensions.
