The United States has revoked more than 175,000 visas issued to foreign nationals since President Donald Trump returned to office, as the administration steps up immigration enforcement and scrutiny of visa holders.
The US Department of State announced the figure on Monday, saying the cancellations were linked mainly to criminal offences, violations of visa conditions, immigration fraud and concerns over public safety and national security.
According to the department, most of the visa cancellations followed encounters with law enforcement. The leading offences included assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug related crimes.
Other cases involved allegations of reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud and embezzlement.
The department said its continuous vetting programme allows US authorities to monitor foreign nationals holding visas and identify individuals who may have violated immigration rules or pose risks to the United States.
Some of the cases cited involved serious allegations, including felony rape, sexual battery, kidnapping, human trafficking and offences involving child sexual abuse material.
The State Department also disclosed that more than 100 visas were cancelled by a US embassy in North Africa in cases involving what it described as birth tourism. The term refers to people travelling to the United States primarily to give birth so that their children can obtain US citizenship.
Other cases involved alleged drug and alcohol offences, including a foreign national accused of driving with heroin while having a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit.
The department also highlighted cases involving financial crimes. One foreign national was accused of operating a legitimate healthcare access business while allegedly participating in a Medicaid fraud scheme involving more than $5 million in fraudulent claims.
In another case, a foreign national was accused of falsifying company revenue figures and forging letters in an attempt to deceive investors and fraudulently obtain a US visa.
The department further said it had cancelled visas belonging to several foreign nationals accused of celebrating or endorsing the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Reuters reported that one individual allegedly posted that Kirk “died too late.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also determined that certain foreign nationals could face deportation on foreign policy grounds.
Cases highlighted by the department included a Cuban national allegedly linked to an influence operation associated with the Cuban communist government, Iranian nationals said to have connections to the Iranian government, a Laotian child sex offender who had received a pardon from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and a Kuwaiti national accused of expressing a desire for violence against the US president.
The latest figure represents a significant increase from the more than 100,000 visas the State Department said it had revoked in January.
The Trump administration has continued to tighten immigration enforcement since returning to office, including expanding security screening and scrutiny of foreign nationals. The administration has also introduced stricter social media vetting for some visa applicants.
The State Department said the visa review process would continue as authorities investigate foreign nationals suspected of violating US immigration rules or posing threats to public safety and national security.
“A US visa is a privilege, not a right,” the department said, stressing that the government would continue using available measures to protect American communities.
