WASHINGTON – The Trump administration has revoked nearly 80,000 non-immigrant visas since taking office on January 20, as part of a wide-ranging immigration crackdown targeting offenses from driving under the influence to assault and theft, a senior State Department official revealed on Wednesday.
According to the report, around 16,000 visas were canceled for DUI offenses, 12,000 for assault, and 8,000 for theft — accounting for nearly half of the total revocations. The move reflects the administration’s hardline approach to immigration enforcement, which has also led to the deportation of thousands, including individuals holding valid visas.
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The administration has tightened visa screening and social media vetting, expanding background checks and granting US diplomats greater discretion to deny entry to applicants deemed “hostile” or politically controversial.
In August, the State Department confirmed that over 6,000 student visas were revoked for overstaying or legal violations, with a few cases linked to alleged “support for terrorism.” Last month, officials also canceled the visas of at least six people over social media posts referencing the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
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US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in May that he had revoked “hundreds, perhaps thousands” of visas belonging to individuals involved in activities “contrary to US foreign policy.”
Administration officials have further warned that student visa and green card holders expressing pro-Palestinian views or criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza could face visa cancellation or deportation, labeling such speech as threats to national interests and pro-Hamas advocacy.