New York/Washington, Jan 13: The United States has revoked more than 100,000 visas in 2025, including around 8,000 student visas, as part of an intensified crackdown on immigration over criminal activity, the State Department said.
In a social media post on Monday, the department said it would continue deporting offenders to ensure public safety. “The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised visas for individuals who had encounters with US law enforcement for criminal activity,” it stated.
State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that in less than a year, the Trump administration has cancelled visas of thousands of foreign nationals charged with or convicted of crimes such as assault, theft and driving under the influence.
According to a Fox News report, the number of visas revoked in 2025 is more than double the 40,000 cancelled in 2024, the final year of former president Joe Biden’s administration. While most revocations involved business and tourist travellers who overstayed their visas, a significant number of students and specialised workers lost their permits due to criminal cases.
The report said that among specialised visa holders, nearly half of the revocations were linked to drunken driving arrests, 30 per cent to assault-related charges and the remaining 20 per cent to offences such as theft, child abuse, substance abuse, fraud and embezzlement. Nearly 500 students reportedly lost visas over drug-related offences, while hundreds of foreign workers were accused of child abuse.
Pigott said the administration would continue its “aggressive” enforcement through a new “continuous vetting centre,” asserting that protecting national security and public safety remains a priority.
The Trump administration has also tightened rules for legal migration, including enhanced screening of H-1B and H-4 visa applicants from December 15, with social media checks, leading to postponed interviews across India. The State Department reiterated that a US visa is a privilege, not a right, and screening uses all available information to identify potential risks. (Agencies)
