KEY POINTS
- Over 80,000 visas revoked by the U.S.
- Offenses include assault, theft, and DUI.
- Policy part of Trump’s immigration crackdown
The United States Department of State has revoked more than 80,000 visas including those held by Nigerians and other foreign nationals, in one of the largest immigration enforcement actions in recent years.
Former President Donald Trump’s administration carried out the mass cancellations as part of a broader national security agenda that officials described as “promises made, promises kept.”
U.S. visa revocations linked to criminal offenses
According to a statement released Thursday, the visa withdrawals covered a range of offenses, from assault and theft to driving under the influence (DUI). Data from 2024 showed that 16,000 visas were revoked for DUI, 12,000 for assault, and 8,000 for theft.
Additional cancellations involved individuals connected to terrorism, extremist activity, public safety risks, or violations of visa terms. A senior State Department official, who spoke anonymously, said those three major offenses accounted for nearly half of all revocations this year.
The policy reflects Trump’s early push for tighter immigration control, which included enhanced deportations, strict visa screening, and the addition of applicants’ social media reviews as part of the vetting process.
U.S. visa revocations extend to students and activists
In August, the department revealed that it had withdrawn more than 6,000 student visas for legal violations and overstays, including a few cases linked to terrorism-related concerns. Six individuals also lost their visas over social media comments about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio, speaking in May, he said U.S. authorities revoked hundreds, possibly thousands, of visas over activities they considered contrary to U.S. foreign policy priorities. He said diplomats now flag applicants who express anti-American or politically sensitive views that might challenge national interests.
Officials also warned that foreign nationals risked deportation for expressing pro-Palestinian views or criticizing Israel during the Gaza conflict, saying they could interpret such expressions as support for Hamas.
The sweeping U.S. visa revocations certainly underscore the administration’s aggressive stance on immigration and security a hallmark of Trump’s domestic and foreign policy approach that continues to shape Washington’s visa oversight today.
