The United States administration under President Donald Trump has cancelled a staggering number of non-immigrant visas since his return to office in January, marking a significant escalation in immigration enforcement. Official data reveals that at least 80,000 visas have been revoked, a figure that more than doubles the total cancellations for the entire previous year.
Breakdown of Visa Revocations
According to the U.S. State Department's report released on a recent Thursday, the mass cancellations cover a wide spectrum of violations. The statistics show 16,000 visas were revoked for driving under the influence and another 12,000 for assault-related offences. In a move particularly relevant for the academic community, approximately 8,000 student visas were cancelled. Officials confirmed that other revocations were tied to terrorism-related concerns, instances of overstaying visas, and broader public-safety risks. The nationalities of the affected individuals were not disclosed by the department.
A New Era of "Continuous Vetting"
This crackdown is a direct result of the tougher immigration stance President Trump announced during his January inaugural address, where he declared a national emergency at the U.S. border. A key tool in this renewed effort is the implementation of "continuous vetting." This expanded screening process empowers U.S. authorities to proactively review the records of all visa holders, even after they have entered the country, searching for any signs of criminal activity, security threats, or immigration violations. The State Department has stated that this system is now monitoring an estimated 55 million valid visa holders across the globe.
Global Impact and Stricter Requirements
The administration's stricter policies have had direct consequences worldwide, including for applicants from Nigeria. In a significant policy shift, the U.S. Embassy in Nigeria announced that most non-immigrant, non-diplomatic visas would be reduced to single-entry status with a shortened validity period of just three months. The embassy also issued a stern warning that applicants submitting fraudulent documents would face a permanent ban from entry. Furthermore, new transparency rules now require applicants for F, M, and J visas to make their social media accounts public as part of the vetting process. In a separate incident underscoring the policy's reach, the State Department last month revoked the visas of several foreign nationals accused of publicly celebrating an assassination, citing national-security concerns.
