The administration of United States President Donald Trump has initiated a massive visa revocation campaign, cancelling over 100,000 visas in the first year of his second term. This significant move, confirmed by the State Department on Monday, specifically targets foreign nationals with criminal records or other legal violations.
Details of the Visa Revocations
According to an official statement released on the State Department's X account, the sweeping action included the cancellation of approximately 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised work permits. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott directly linked the revocations to crimes committed by the holders, citing offences like assault and drunk driving as primary reasons.
"The Trump administration has no higher priority than protecting American citizens and upholding American sovereignty," Pigott stated. He emphasised the administration's resolve by adding, "We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe." The revocations are part of a broader strategy that includes increased deportations and tighter vetting for all applicants.
Broader Immigration Enforcement Context
This visa crackdown aligns with the policy platform President Trump reaffirmed upon his inauguration for a second term on 20 January 2025. The figures released this week provide a clear metric of the administration's intensified focus on immigration control. The Department of Homeland Security reports that under these second-term measures, more than 605,000 people have been deported.
Furthermore, the administration has implemented stricter visa vetting procedures. These now include mandatory screening of the social media accounts of individuals applying to visit the United States. The enforcement drive has also seen a notable increase in the deployment of federal agents to carry out mass deportation operations.
Political and Legal Justifications
The policy has extended beyond criminal activity to encompass perceived political dissent. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently defended the decision to revoke visas from international students who participated in protests against Israel. Rubio cited existing U.S. law that allows for the denial of entry to foreigners believed to be acting against American foreign policy interests.
This period of heightened enforcement has left a complex landscape for foreign nationals in the U.S. The Department of Homeland Security notes that an additional 2.5 million people remain in the country under various legal circumstances, highlighting the scale of the ongoing immigration review process. The moves signal a continued hardline approach to immigration as a cornerstone of the administration's agenda.
