Trump Administration Revokes 175,000+ US Visas Over Crime, Visa Violations

WASHINGTON — More than 175,000 visas issued to foreign nationals have been revoked by the United States under President Donald Trump, with authorities citing criminal offences, breaches of immigration rules and potential threats to public safety.

The US Department of State announced the figure yesterday, saying the cancellations formed part of its continuous screening and vetting of visa holders.

The department said the majority of the cases arose from “law enforcement encounters involving criminal activity, with assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug-related offences among the leading causes.”

Other reasons cited included “reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud, embezzlement and other crimes.”

According to the State Department, the ongoing vetting process is intended to ensure that people holding US visas continue to meet the conditions attached to their entry and stay in the country.

It said some of the visa holders whose documents were revoked had faced serious criminal allegations, including “felony rape and sexual battery, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors, child sexual abuse offences and domestic violence.”

The department also disclosed that a US diplomatic mission in North Africa cancelled more than 100 visas issued to parents allegedly involved in “birth tourism.”

The term refers to travelling to the United States primarily to give birth in order for the child to obtain US citizenship.

Among the other cases highlighted was a foreign national arrested for allegedly driving with heroin while recording a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit.

The State Department also pointed to cases involving alleged financial fraud.

It said one foreign national who presented himself as the operator of a legitimate business helping vulnerable patients obtain healthcare was allegedly involved in a Medicaid fraud operation involving more than $5 million in fraudulent claims.

Another individual allegedly manipulated company revenue figures and forged documents to deceive investors and obtain a US visa fraudulently.

The department also cited cases involving foreign nationals who allegedly celebrated the assassination of Charlie Kirk, including individuals whose comments appeared to endorse or celebrate his death.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the department added, had determined that several other foreign nationals were deportable on foreign policy grounds.

They included a Cuban national allegedly connected to an influence operation linked to the Cuban communist regime, Iranian nationals with alleged links to the Iranian government, a Laotian child sex offender who had received a pardon from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and a Kuwaiti national accused of expressing a desire for violence against the US president and calling Americans his “enemy”.

The department said its vetting efforts would continue as it investigates foreign nationals whose activities are considered a threat to public safety or national security.

“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” the Department of State said.

It added that it would continue using available measures to protect American communities from people who abuse the US immigration system.

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