The US State Department announced on Monday that it has revoked more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump began his second term. This action is part of the current administration's hardline, anti-immigrant approach, and represents a record-breaking number for such a short period of time—less than a year.
Protecting sovereignty and national security
Commenting on these statistics, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated that the Trump administration prioritizes protecting American citizens and national sovereignty, emphasizing that "there is no higher priority." Official data indicates that this figure represents a 250% increase (two and a half times) compared to the total number of visas revoked during the entire year of 2024, when President Joe Biden was in office, reflecting a radical shift in U.S. immigration policy.
Reasons for visa cancellations and security checks
The State Department explained that thousands of visas were revoked based on criminal records, including offenses such as assault and driving under the influence. However, the revocations were not solely based on criminal matters, but also on political and ideological considerations. Secretary of State Marco Rubio welcomed the revocation of visas for foreign students who participated in protests on American campuses condemning the Israeli occupation, citing laws that allow for barring entry to foreigners deemed to oppose US foreign policy.
Tighter controls on students and expatriates
Reports revealed that approximately 8,000 of the revoked visas belonged to international students. The Trump administration had tightened security vetting procedures for issuing and renewing visas, including a thorough review of applicants' and newcomers' social media posts to ensure they did not express views hostile to US interests. Despite these stringent measures, some of those targeted were able to win legal challenges against the deportation orders, indicating ongoing legal debate surrounding the enforcement mechanisms.
Context of the mass deportation campaign
The visa revocations cannot be separated from the broader context of the "mass deportation" policy promised by Trump during his election campaign. These operations are part of a wider campaign being carried out through the deployment of federal forces in several American cities. According to data released last month by the Department of Homeland Security, the Trump administration forcibly deported more than 605,000 people, while approximately 2.5 million people left the United States voluntarily for fear of persecution. This is causing a significant demographic and social shift and impacting education and employment sectors that rely in part on immigrants.
