In a sweeping immigration enforcement initiative, the U.S. State Department has canceled more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump’s inauguration last January—representing the highest revocation rate in modern history. This aggressive approach forms a cornerstone of the administration’s tightened border security and immigration control policies implemented following Trump’s return to power.
The visa cancellations form part of a multi-pronged strategy that includes enhanced vetting procedures for new applicants and widespread deportations of migrants, including some previously holding valid documentation. The administration has implemented rigorous screening protocols featuring expanded social media background checks and intensified security evaluations to identify potential threats.
Deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott revealed that approximately 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialized visas were among those revoked, primarily from individuals who had encountered U.S. law enforcement on criminal charges. Leading causes for revocation included visa overstays, driving under influence offenses, assault charges, and theft-related convictions. The current revocation numbers show a dramatic 150% increase compared to 2024 figures.
To streamline these enforcement efforts, the State Department established a dedicated Continuous Vetting Center tasked with ensuring foreign nationals comply with legal requirements and promptly revoking visas from those deemed to ‘pose a threat to American citizens.’
Additionally, diplomatic personnel have received directives to exercise heightened scrutiny toward visa applicants displaying perceived hostility toward U.S. interests or those with histories of political activism. Administration officials have further indicated that student visa holders and lawful permanent residents—including green card holders—may face deportation for expressing support for Palestinians or criticizing Israel’s military operations in Gaza, which some officials equate with supporting Hamas.
This policy shift has resulted in targeting individuals with minor infractions that previously might not have jeopardized their legal status, signaling a substantial hardening of immigration enforcement standards.