WASHINGTON: The Trump administration has revoked approximately 80,000 non-immigrant visas since taking office on January 20, marking one of the most sweeping immigration enforcement efforts in recent US history, a senior State Department official said on Wednesday.
According to the official, the revocations cover a range of offences, including driving under the influence (DUI), assault, and theft. The figures, first reported by the Washington Examiner, highlight the administration’s aggressive approach toward tightening visa regulations and deporting offenders.
Of the total, about 16,000 visas were cancelled over DUI cases, 12,000 for assault, and nearly 8,000 for theft. “These three crimes accounted for almost half of revocations this year,” the official said, requesting anonymity.
The State Department has also intensified its background checks, introducing tougher social media vetting and expanding the scope of security screening for visa applicants. Officials said these measures are part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration policy aimed at “safeguarding national interests and ensuring lawful conduct among visa holders.”
In August, the department confirmed that more than 6,000 student visas had been revoked due to overstays and legal violations, including a few for alleged “support for terrorism.” Last month, at least six people lost their visas over social media remarks about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in May that “hundreds, perhaps thousands” of visas had been revoked for activities deemed contrary to US foreign policy. New directives have instructed diplomats worldwide to be cautious of applicants engaged in political activism viewed as hostile to US interests.
Sources added that visa and green card holders expressing support for Palestinians or criticizing Israel’s Gaza operations have also faced scrutiny, with officials accusing some of “pro-Hamas sympathies” deemed inconsistent with US policy.
