Trump State Department Revokes More Than 175,000 Visas in Sweeping Crackdown
by David Lindfield
The State Department announced Monday that it has revoked more than 175,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to the White House, targeting foreign nationals accused of crimes, immigration abuse, fraud, threats against Americans, and national security violations.
The massive number comes less than two years into Trump’s second term and reflects the administration’s aggressive effort to tighten enforcement against foreigners permitted to enter the United States.
“Under President Trump, the United States Department of State has revoked more than 175,000 visas from foreign nationals who violated the terms of their visas, committed crimes, called for violence against U.S. citizens, defrauded Americans, abused our immigration system, or endangered national security,” the department said.
Criminal Activity Drives Most Visa Revocations
The State Department said most of the revocations resulted from encounters with law enforcement involving criminal conduct.
Assault, driving under the influence, theft, and drug offenses were among the most common reasons visas were pulled.
“A significant share of visas were revoked for reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud and embezzlement, and other crimes,” the department said.
Officials highlighted several particularly serious cases involving foreign nationals whose visas were revoked.
One involved “a foreign national who was charged with felony rape and sexual battery—including of a victim who was mentally disabled.”
Another involved “a foreign national charged with felony kidnapping, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation of a minor.”
The administration has repeatedly argued that granting permission to enter the United States does not prevent the government from revoking that privilege when a foreign national violates American laws or threatens public safety.
State Department Targets ‘Birth Tourism’
The administration is also using visa enforcement to crack down on “birth tourism,” in which foreign nationals travel to the United States primarily to give birth so their children obtain American citizenship.
The State Department said one American embassy in North Africa alone revoked more than 100 visas connected to the practice.
“A U.S. embassy in North Africa revoked over 100 visas for ‘birth tourist’ parents who came to the United States primarily to give birth so their children would get U.S. citizenship,” the department said.