US revokes 175,000-plus visas under Trump as State Department steps up vetting

The United States has revoked more than 175,000 visas of foreign nationals under President Donald Trump, citing criminal activity, visa violations, fraud, calls for violence and national security concerns, according to the US Department of State.

The State Department said most visa revocations followed law enforcement encounters involving foreign nationals. Assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug-related crimes were among the leading reasons for the action.

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A significant number of visas were also revoked in cases involving reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud, embezzlement and other crimes.

The department said the action is part of its continuous vetting process for visa holders. The process is aimed at checking whether foreign nationals continue to comply with visa conditions and whether they pose a risk to people in the United States.

Visas Revoked in Criminal Cases

The State Department cited several cases involving foreign nationals facing serious criminal charges.

In one case, a foreign national was charged with felony rape and sexual battery, including an offence involving a mentally disabled victim. Another foreign national was charged with felony kidnapping, human trafficking and sexual exploitation of a minor.

The department also cited a case involving a foreign national arrested for disorderly conduct, resisting arrest with violence, drunk driving and domestic violence.

Another person was charged with sodomy of a child and aggravated sexual battery, while a separate foreign national faced more than a dozen charges related to possession of child sexual abuse material.

In another case, a foreign national was arrested while driving with heroin and with a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit.

Birth Tourism and Fraud Cases

A US embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas of parents who, according to the State Department, travelled to the United States mainly to give birth so that their children would obtain US citizenship.

The department also highlighted cases involving alleged healthcare and business fraud.

One foreign national, who claimed to run a legitimate business helping vulnerable patients access healthcare, allegedly helped organise a Medicaid fraud scheme involving more than $5 million in bills for services that were not provided.

In another case, a foreign national allegedly fabricated company revenue and used false claims and forged letters to secure a visa while misleading investors and clients out of millions of dollars.

The department also cited the case of a foreign national who travelled to the United States to teach students and was later arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a student.

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Visas Revoked Over Statements Supporting Violence

The State Department said it revoked visas of multiple foreign nationals who celebrated the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

According to the department, one person stated, “when fascists die, democrats don’t complain,” while another said he “died too late.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also determined that several foreign nationals are deportable on foreign policy grounds, according to the department.

The cases cited include a Cuban national allegedly connected to a Cuban government influence operation and Iranian nationals with links to the Iranian government.

The department also named a Laotian national convicted of a child sex offence who was pardoned by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and a Kuwaiti national who wished for violence against the US President and called Americans his “enemy.”

The State Department said it would continue to identify, investigate and revoke visas of foreign nationals it believes pose a threat to Americans or misuse the US visa system.

“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” the department said, adding that it would continue using available measures to protect US communities from people who abuse the visa system.