The Trump administration has canceled more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office, marking a significant increase compared with the previous year. The U.S. Department of State confirmed that the cancellations occurred during the first year of the administration and targeted individuals who violated the terms of their entry.
Officials said many of the affected individuals entered the United States for business or tourism but stayed beyond their authorized period. As a result, authorities moved to revoke their visas and initiate enforcement actions. The department reported that the revocations included about 8,000 student visas and 2,500 work visas. Most of those cases involved people with criminal records or clear evidence of legal violations.
Moreover, the department identified a range of offenses that led to cancellations. These included driving under the influence, assault, theft, child abuse, drug trafficking, and financial misconduct. Officials stressed that these measures aim to strengthen public safety and uphold immigration laws. Consequently, the administration has framed the policy as part of a broader strategy to deter abuse of the visa system.
Broader review signals tougher approach
In addition, the Department of State emphasized that visa cancellations and deportations will continue as part of ongoing enforcement efforts. Officials said the government intends to maintain stricter monitoring of visa compliance and expand cooperation with law enforcement agencies. Therefore, travelers, students, and workers are expected to face closer scrutiny when applying for or renewing visas.
The administration had already signaled its tougher approach last August, when it announced a large-scale review of visas covering 55 million individuals. That review laid the groundwork for the current wave of cancellations and reinforced the government’s focus on compliance and accountability.
While supporters argue that the policy protects national security and public safety, critics warn that aggressive enforcement could discourage legitimate travel, education, and business exchanges. Nevertheless, the administration continues to defend the measures as necessary to restore integrity to the immigration system.
