WASHINGTON, DC — THE United States has revoked more than 175,000 visas as part of the Trump administration's intensified efforts to crack down on immigration violations, criminal activity and threats to national security.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the visa cancellations targeted foreign nationals who violated the terms of their visas, committed crimes, promoted violence against Americans, engaged in fraud, abused the U.S. immigration system or were deemed to pose a threat to national security.
The department said most of the revoked visas involved individuals who had encounters with law enforcement. Among the most common offences were assault, driving under the influence (DUI), theft and drug-related crimes.
In a media stament from the US Department of State, officials added that thousands of other visa holders lost their travel privileges after being linked to offences such as reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud, embezzlement and other criminal activities.
The State Department noted that the revocations stem from its ongoing visa vetting programme, which continuously reviews visa holders to ensure they comply with U.S. immigration laws and do not present a danger to the public.
As part of the enforcement effort, the department highlighted several cases involving individuals whose visas were revoked.
According to the statement, these included foreign nationals charged with serious crimes such as rape, sexual battery, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of a minor, child sexual abuse offences, domestic violence and drug-related crimes.
The department also reported that a U.S. embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas issued to individuals involved in so-called "birth tourism" schemes, in which foreign nationals allegedly travelled to the United States primarily to give birth so their children could obtain U.S. citizenship.
Other cases cited by the department involved individuals accused of large-scale financial fraud, including one person alleged to have orchestrated a Medicaid scheme worth more than US$5 million and another accused of using forged documents and false financial information to secure a U.S. visa.
The State Department also said visas were revoked for several foreign nationals who publicly celebrated the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative political activist. According to officials, some individuals posted messages expressing approval of his killing, prompting visa cancellations under U.S. immigration and foreign policy authorities.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also determined that a number of foreign nationals are deportable on foreign policy grounds. The department said these cases include individuals alleged to have ties to the Cuban and Iranian governments, a convicted child sex offender from Laos who was later pardoned in Minnesota, and a Kuwaiti national accused of making violent threats against the President of the United States and expressing hostility toward Americans.
The State Department said it will continue using its visa screening and vetting authorities to identify individuals who violate U.S. laws or are considered a threat to public safety.
