The United States Department of State has announced the revocation of more than 100,000 visas, a record number that includes thousands issued to international students and specialized professionals.
In a statement on Monday, the department said the action targeted individuals “who had encounters with U.S. law enforcement for criminal activity.” It specified that among the total, about 8,000 were student visas and 2,500 were specialized professional visas.
“We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe,” the statement added, reinforcing the government’s stance.
Officials did not provide a detailed timeline or list specific offences, but the move is part of a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on visa holders linked to criminal activity. This follows earlier measures in August 2025, when over 6,000 student visas were revoked for violations including assault, driving under the influence (DUI), burglary, and alleged support for terrorism.
The administration has intensified visa vetting throughout 2025. Earlier in the year, visa appointments were paused and later resumed with a new requirement for applicants to make their social media accounts public for screening of “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.”
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated, “The Trump administration has no higher priority than protecting American citizens and upholding American sovereignty.” The figure represents two and a half times the number of visas revoked in 2024.
The revocations are part of a wider immigration enforcement campaign that has seen over 605,000 deportations, according to the Department of Homeland Security.
