The United States Department of State has revoked more than 175,000 visas under President Donald Trump as part of an intensified immigration enforcement effort targeting foreign nationals accused of violating U.S. immigration laws, committing crimes or posing risks to public safety and national security.
According to the department, most of the visa cancellations followed encounters between foreign nationals and law enforcement agencies. Offences cited included assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug-related crimes.
Other cases involved allegations of reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud and embezzlement.
The State Department said the revocations form part of its ongoing screening and vetting process aimed at ensuring that visa holders comply with the conditions attached to their visas and do not constitute a threat to the United States.
The department identified 10 broad categories of foreign nationals whose visas have been revoked or who have faced deportability determinations.
1. People charged with sexual assault
The State Department revoked the visa of a foreign national charged with felony rape and sexual battery, including an alleged offence involving a mentally disabled victim.
2. People accused of kidnapping and child exploitation
Another foreign national had their visa revoked after facing charges including felony kidnapping, human trafficking and sexual exploitation of a minor.
3. People arrested for domestic violence and violent conduct
Visa cancellations also affected foreign nationals arrested for offences such as disorderly conduct, resisting arrest with violence, driving under the influence and domestic violence.
4. Birth tourists
A U.S. embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas belonging to parents accused of travelling to the United States primarily to give birth so that their children could obtain U.S. citizenship.
5. People accused of child sexual offences
The department also cited cases involving foreign nationals charged with offences including sodomy of a child, aggravated sexual battery and possession of child sexual abuse material.
One individual was reportedly charged with more than a dozen counts relating to possession of such material.
6. Drug and dangerous-driving offenders
The State Department cited the case of a foreign national arrested while driving with heroin in their possession and a blood alcohol level reportedly more than three times the legal limit.
7. Foreign nationals accused of endorsing violence
The department said the visas of several foreign nationals who celebrated the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk were revoked.
The cases reportedly involved individuals whose comments appeared to praise the killing or express support for violence.
8. People involved in major healthcare fraud
Another foreign national was accused of operating a legitimate business that helped vulnerable patients access healthcare but was allegedly involved in a Medicaid fraud scheme involving more than $5 million in fraudulent services.
9. People accused of fraudulently obtaining visas
The department also cited a foreign national accused of establishing a company based on false claims, deceiving investors and defrauding clients of millions of dollars.
According to the State Department, the individual allegedly relied on fabricated claims and forged letters to fraudulently secure a U.S. visa.
10. Foreign nationals considered deportable on foreign policy grounds
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also determined that several foreign nationals are deportable on foreign policy grounds.
Cases cited by the department include a Cuban national allegedly linked to an influence operation associated with Cuba’s communist government, Iranian nationals allegedly connected to the Iranian government, a Laotian child sex offender who received a pardon from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and a Kuwaiti national accused of expressing a desire for violence against the US president and referring to Americans as his “enemy.”
The State Department said the Trump administration would continue identifying, investigating and revoking the visas of foreign nationals it considers threats to Americans.
The department stressed that a US visa is a privilege rather than a right, adding that it would continue to use available measures to protect communities from individuals who violate visa conditions or raise public safety and national security concerns.