The United States has revoked more than 175,000 visas held by foreign nationals. These US visa revocations are taking place because the Trump administration intensifies enforcement against people accused of crimes, immigration violations and conduct considered a threat to national security.
According to Vanguard, the US Department of State announced the figures on Monday. Most of the US visa revocations followed encounters with law enforcement involving alleged criminal activity.
The department listed assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug-related offences among the leading reasons visas were cancelled.
It said other cases involved allegations of reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud and embezzlement.
“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” the State Department said. In addition, the department warned that it would keep reviewing visa holders to determine whether they remain eligible to enter or stay in the country.
US visa revocations tied to serious criminal allegations
The department said some of those affected had been charged with more serious offences. These included rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors and domestic violence.
Officials said the action formed part of the government’s continuous-vetting programme. This programme allows authorities to keep reviewing visa holders even after their documents have been issued.
The aim, according to the department, is to identify people who violate immigration rules. In addition, the aim is to find those who pose public safety and national security concerns.
In one example cited by the government, a foreign national was allegedly arrested while driving with heroin. He also recorded a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit.
Another person who presented himself as running a legitimate healthcare-access business was accused of helping coordinate a Medicaid fraud scheme. This scheme involved more than $5 million in fraudulent billing.
The department also cited a case involving a foreign national accused of fabricating company revenue figures and forging documents. He did this to mislead investors while fraudulently obtaining a US visa.
Over 100 visas revoked over alleged ‘birth tourism’
The State Department also disclosed that a US embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas belonging to parents accused of participating in what it described as “birth tourism.”
Authorities alleged that the individuals travelled to the United States primarily to give birth. As a result, their children could acquire American citizenship.
The government has increasingly targeted practices it believes exploit immigration and citizenship rules. As a result, visa holders now face greater scrutiny under the current enforcement approach.
Officials also cited cases involving people whose public statements were considered grounds for further action.
The department referred to foreign nationals accused of celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk. This included individuals whose comments allegedly praised or endorsed his death.
Rubio invokes foreign-policy grounds
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also determined that some foreign nationals can be removed from the United States on foreign-policy grounds.
The State Department said those cases included a Cuban national allegedly connected to an influence operation linked to the Cuban government. Other cases involved Iranian nationals accused of ties to authorities in Tehran.
Other examples included a Laotian national convicted of a child sex offence. Additionally, a Kuwaiti national was accused of expressing a desire for violence against the US president and describing Americans as his “enemy.”
The department said visa reviews would continue as part of efforts to identify foreign nationals who may pose risks to American communities.
It added that authorities would use available immigration and law-enforcement powers. This will be against individuals considered to have abused the US visa system.
