The United States government has revoked more than 175,000 visas issued to foreign nationals under President Donald Trump’s administration, citing alleged visa violations, criminal activity and security concerns.
The US Department of State disclosed this in a statement on Monday, saying most of the cancellations followed encounters with law enforcement involving criminal offences.
According to the department, the leading reasons included assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug-related offences. Other cases involved reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud, embezzlement and other crimes.
The State Department said the actions were part of its ongoing visa-vetting process, which is designed to ensure that foreign nationals comply with the conditions attached to their visas and do not pose risks to public safety.
It said some of the individuals whose visas were cancelled had faced serious 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 embassy in North Africa had revoked more than 100 visas belonging to parents allegedly involved in “birth tourism” — travelling to the United States primarily to give birth so their children could obtain US citizenship.
Other cases highlighted by the department involved individuals accused of drug-related and financial crimes.
One foreign national was allegedly arrested for driving with heroin while having a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit.
Another person who reportedly claimed to operate a legitimate business helping vulnerable patients obtain healthcare was accused of participating in a Medicaid fraud scheme involving more than $5 million in fraudulent claims.
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The State Department also said another foreign national allegedly falsified company revenue and forged letters in an attempt to mislead investors and secure a US visa fraudulently.
The department further cited cases involving foreign nationals who allegedly celebrated or appeared to endorse the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also determined that some foreign nationals could be deported on foreign policy grounds, according to the department.
Those cases reportedly include a Cuban national allegedly linked to an influence operation associated with Cuba’s communist government, Iranian nationals with alleged connections to the Iranian government, a Laotian child sex offender who was pardoned by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and a Kuwaiti national accused of expressing a desire for violence against the US president and describing Americans as his “enemy”.
The State Department said its visa enforcement efforts would continue as authorities seek to identify and remove individuals considered threats to public safety.
“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” the department said, adding that it would use available measures to protect American communities from people who abuse the immigration system.