US State Department Revokes Over 175,000 Visas in Broad Crackdown, Citing Criminal Conduct and DUIs

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department of State announced that it has revoked more than 175,000 visas belonging to foreign nationals since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term. According to federal officials, the sweeping wave of cancellations targets individuals who have violated visa terms, engaged in criminal activity, defrauded American systems, or posed threats to national security.

The administration reported that the vast majority of these revocations stem from law enforcement encounters. Leading causes for the cancellations include assault, driving under the influence (DUI), theft, and drug-related offenses, alongside cases of reckless driving, sexual assault, and child abuse.

"A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right. The Department remains committed to using every tool available to protect our communities from those who abuse it," the State Department said in an official statement.

Expanding Vetting and High-Profile Cases

The latest data underscores a sharp acceleration in immigration enforcement under the current administration, following continuous vetting protocols managed through updated screening processes and heightened social media checks.

Alongside arrests for violent crimes and substance-related driving offenses, the State Department's sweeping actions have targeted other categories of alleged abuses:

 

* Fraud and Financial Crimes: Cancellations include individuals tied to multi-million-dollar health care and business investment schemes, as well as fraudulent documentation.

 

* "Birth Tourism": Consular posts—including a U.S. embassy in North Africa—rescinded over 100 visas issued to parents accused of traveling to the United States primarily to secure American citizenship for their newborns.

* Public Safety and Foreign Policy Threats: The administration has also leveraged broad discretionary authority under Secretary of State Marco Rubio to target individuals flagged on foreign policy grounds, or those accused of threatening public safety and endorsing violence.

Immigration experts note that the aggressive posture reflects a wider effort by the White House to overhaul legal immigration pipelines, tighten restrictions on international students and foreign workers, and increase accountability measures across domestic and foreign embassies.