The United States government has revoked approximately 85,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office in January, according to a statement shared by the State Department on X. The announcement described the cancellations as part of a sharpened national security agenda endorsed by both the president and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The message emphasized that the administration intends to continue its intensified oversight of foreign nationals as part of its broader commitment to enhanced safety measures across the country. An accompanying image featuring Trump and the phrase “Make America Safe Again” underscored the policy’s political framing and the administration’s focus on stricter immigration rules.
Additional details were later shared by a senior State Department official, who explained that more than 8,000 of the revoked visas belonged to international students. The official said that a significant portion of cancellations stemmed from offenses such as driving under the influence, theft, and assault. These infractions reportedly accounted for nearly half of all revocations during the past year. However, the department did not disclose the specific grounds for the remaining visa cancellations issued in 2025, leaving unanswered questions about the wider scope of the review process.
In previous briefings, officials noted that some visas were revoked for administrative purposes, including expiration or inconsistencies in documentation. Others were canceled due to more serious national security concerns, such as suspected involvement in activities that could be interpreted as support for terrorism. In one instance in October, authorities confirmed that visas were withdrawn from individuals accused of celebrating the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, which the department described as a violation of conduct expectations for foreign nationals residing in the United States.
International students, in particular, appear to be receiving heightened scrutiny. Officials acknowledged that those participating in demonstrations related to the Gaza conflict have faced increased monitoring, though they declined to provide precise figures. The department has maintained that such oversight falls under its ongoing responsibility to evaluate behavior that may affect visa eligibility throughout a student’s stay.
The current visa revocation effort aligns with a broader framework introduced in August, when the administration outlined plans for a continuous vetting system that would apply to more than 55 million foreign nationals. Unlike previous procedures that focused primarily on entry or renewal checkpoints, the new system monitors visa holders throughout their time in the country. Supporters of the policy argue that continuous vetting strengthens national security by allowing authorities to identify potential risks more quickly. Critics, however, have raised concerns about privacy implications and the possibility of uneven enforcement.
Since President Trump began his second term, the State Department has also widened the criteria used to reassess visa applications and examine individuals already living in the United States. This shift has had implications for skilled workers as well, particularly those employed under the H-1B visa programme, which is widely used by companies recruiting foreign talent, including workers from India. Tighter reviews and additional verification steps have slowed approval timelines, contributing to uncertainty for both employers and applicants.
Officials have indicated that the revocation numbers released this week represent only a portion of the administration’s ongoing immigration strategy. With continuous vetting now embedded into the State Department’s procedures, additional cancellations are expected as monitoring expands and the department evaluates more cases under the updated standards. The administration maintains that these measures reflect its long-term objective of strengthening national security by ensuring that all visa holders comply with US laws and behavioral expectations throughout their stay.
