U.S. State Department Revokes Over 100,000 Visas in Broad Enforcement Campaign

The U.S. State Department announced this week that it has revoked more than 100,000 visas held by foreign nationals in 2025, part of a sweeping enforcement push targeting individuals with criminal encounters or violations of U.S. law. The scale of the revocations represents a sharp escalation compared with previous years and aligns with the Trump administration’s broader immigration crackdown.

In a post on X, the State Department confirmed that the visa cancellations included a wide range of offenses such as assault, theft, driving under the influence, and other criminal charges, describing the action as necessary to protect public safety and national security. Officials highlighted that visas for roughly 8,000 students and 2,500 specialized workers were among those revoked as part of the broader effort.

“The United States has no obligation to host criminals who endanger the American people,” the department wrote on social media, emphasizing that a U.S. visa “is a privilege, not a right.” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the revocations marked a more than 150% increase over 2024 and underscored the administration’s commitment to enforcing immigration laws.

How the Revocations Are Carried Out

According to the State Department, the surge in cancellations has been enabled by a newly created Continuous Vetting Center, which uses enhanced data sharing and screening to monitor visa holders after entry. This unit flags foreign nationals with criminal records, immigration violations, or other indicators of potential risk — including arrests that may not have led to convictions — and initiates revocation procedures.

Officials say this new system allows authorities to withdraw visas even mid-stay and coordinate with Customs and Border Protection to deny future re-entry at U.S. ports of entry for flagged individuals. Supporters argue this represents a more vigilant enforcement of U.S. laws, while critics contend it may be overly broad and lack transparency about criteria and due process.

Impact and Debate

While the administration frames the revocations as a necessary measure to keep Americans safe, the policy has sparked controversy, especially in academic and professional circles. Some universities and industry groups voice concern that blanket visa cancellations — particularly of students and skilled workers — could discourage international applicants and undermine U.S. competitiveness.

Legal observers also note that foreign nationals may lose visas based on law enforcement encounters, even when charges were later dismissed — raising questions about fairness and whether deportation mechanisms are being used in ways broader than originally intended.

Additionally, the broader immigration enforcement climate has included heightened scrutiny of social media activity by prospective visa applicants, as well as visa revocations tied to political expression and activism — factors that have drawn criticism from civil liberties advocates.

A Record Enforcement Year

According to multiple media reports, the number of visas revoked in 2025 more than doubled compared to the roughly 40,000 cancellations in 2024 under the previous administration — a reflection of the Trump administration’s more aggressive posture on immigration enforcement.

As the policy continues to unfold, questions remain about its long-term effects on international travel, academic exchange, business staffing, and perceptions of the United States abroad — especially among foreign students and professionals who play significant roles in U.S. education and innovation sectors.

Sources

• Reuters: Trump administration has revoked over 100,000 visas, State Department says — Daphne Psaledakis (Jan 12, 2026)

• VisaHQ: State Department Revokes 100,000 Visas in Aggressive Enforcement Push (Jan 13, 2026)

• Just the News: State Department revokes 100K visas from criminal foreign nationals (Feb 17, 2026)

• Bloomberg Law: Trump Administration Touts 100,000 Visa Cancellations (Jan 12, 2026)

• Newsweek: Over 100,000 Visas Revoked by Trump Administration Last Year (Jan 2026)