New York/Washington, Jan 13: The United States has revoked more than 100,000 visas in 2025, including nearly 8,000 student visas, as part of an intensified crackdown on immigration over alleged criminal activity, the State Department has said.
In a social media post on Monday, the department said it would “continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe.” It added that over 100,000 visas have been cancelled so far, including around 2,500 specialised visas, involving individuals who had encounters with US law enforcement.
State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that within less than a year, the Trump administration has revoked visas of thousands of foreign nationals charged or convicted of crimes such as assault, theft and driving under the influence.
According to a Fox News report, the number of visas revoked in 2025 is more than double the 40,000 cancellations recorded in 2024, the final year of the Joe Biden administration. While most revocations involved business and tourist travellers who overstayed their visas, the report said thousands of students and specialised visa holders lost their status due to criminal cases.
Among specialised visa holders, nearly half of the revocations were linked to drunken driving arrests, 30 per cent to assault and battery-related charges, while the remaining cases involved theft, child abuse, substance abuse, drug distribution, fraud and embezzlement. The report also claimed that close to 500 students lost their visas for drug possession and distribution, while hundreds of foreign workers were accused of child abuse.
Pigott said the administration would continue its “aggressive” enforcement through a new “continuous vetting centre,” stressing that the government remains committed to protecting national security and public safety.
The Trump administration has significantly tightened immigration enforcement, targeting both illegal and legal migration, and has also introduced stricter rules for individuals seeking to enter the US for work or education.
Since December 15, the State Department has implemented enhanced screening measures for H-1B and H-4 visa applicants, including checks of social media activity. As a result, several visa interviews across India have been postponed, leaving many applicants stranded for months while awaiting visa stamping.
The State Department has repeatedly maintained that a US visa is a privilege and not a right, and said it relies on all available information during screening and vetting to identify individuals who may pose risks to national security or public safety.
