US revokes over 100,000 visas since Trump’s return

The United States State Department said it has revoked more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office last year, as his administration continues a hardline immigration crackdown.

The visa cancellations include 8,000 students and 2,500 specialised workers, according to a social media post from the State Department yesterday.

The department added that most had their visas withdrawn due to "encounters with US law enforcement for criminal activity," though it did not specify whether charges were filed.

The high number of revocations reflects the broad scope of Trump's immigration crackdown since returning to the White House.

Last month, the administration claimed to have overseen more than 2.5 million voluntary departures and deportations, describing it as a "record-breaking achievement." Some deportations, however, involved immigrants holding valid visas, raising concerns over due process and human rights.

The administration has also tightened visa approval processes, including more rigorous social media checks and expanded screening. "We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe," the State Department said in its post on X.

State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the four main reasons for visa revocations were overstays, driving under the influence, assault, and theft. He added that the revocations represented a 150 percent increase compared to 2024.

A new Continuous Vetting Center has been launched to ensure "all foreign nationals on American soil comply with our laws—and that the visas of those who pose a threat to American citizens are swiftly revoked," Pigott said. The center is part of a broader push to restrict entry, with US diplomats instructed to scrutinise applicants who may be hostile to the US or politically active.

In November, the State Department had reported revoking around 80,000 non-immigrant visas since Trump's inauguration for offences including driving under the influence, assault, and theft.

Trump, re-elected in 2024 and sworn in for a second term on January 20, 2025, campaigned on delivering the "largest deportation programme of criminals in the history of America." Critics argue, however, that his approach has targeted both criminals and non-criminals, with scrutiny of visa holders holding opposing political views, reports Al Jazeera.

In March, for example, the administration started stripping visas from students involved in pro-Palestinian activism. Rumeysa Ozturk of Tufts University appeared to have been targeted for writing an editorial in her campus newspaper. In October, visas were revoked for six foreign nationals who "celebrated" the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk online.

"The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans," the State Department said in a social media statement.

These moves have raised concerns over potential violations of the First Amendment right to free speech. Public outrage has also grown over the use of force in Trump's immigration crackdown.

Recently, Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot dead in her car in Minneapolis during heightened immigration enforcement, sparking protests nationwide.