WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has nullified roughly 80,000 non-immigrant visas since taking office in January, part of an expansive clampdown on foreign nationals accused of crimes ranging from minor offenses to serious assaults.
A senior State Department official confirmed the numbers, noting that visa revocations have spanned categories such as driving under the influence (about 16,000 cases), assault (roughly 12,000), and theft (around 8,000). Together, those offenses represent nearly half of all cancellations so far this year.
The sweeping action underscores the administration’s hardline stance on immigration and border control, extending even to those who entered the country legally. Officials have also introduced deeper background checks, expanded social media scrutiny, and more rigorous screening before issuing new visas.
In addition to criminal violations, the administration has moved against visa holders for what it calls “anti-American activity.” Recent cases include the revocation of visas belonging to several individuals over social media remarks about the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has publicly acknowledged that hundreds — possibly thousands — of visas have been pulled from students and others allegedly engaged in activities contrary to U.S. foreign policy. State Department directives this year have instructed U.S. diplomats to treat applicants with histories of political activism or anti-U.S. sentiment as potential risks.
Critics argue that the administration is blurring the line between national security and political expression, especially amid reports that students and green card holders expressing solidarity with Palestinians or criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza have faced deportation proceedings.
The visa cancellations mark one of the broadest exercises of executive authority over immigration since Trump’s return to the White House — a signal that the administration intends to wield every available tool to reshape who is allowed to enter and remain in the United States.
