US revokes over 100,000 visas in 2025, including 8,000 student permits

The United States has revoked more than 100,000 visas in 2025, including around 8,000 student visas, as part of an intensified crackdown on immigration citing criminal activity, the US State Department said on Monday.

“We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe,” the State Department said in a post on social media.

According to the department, the revoked visas also include about 2,500 specialised visas issued to individuals who had encounters with US law enforcement. “The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised visas for individuals who had encounters with US law enforcement for criminal activity,” it said.

State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that in less than a year, the Trump administration has cancelled visas of thousands of foreign nationals who were charged or convicted of crimes.

“These include cases involving assault, theft and driving under the influence,” Pigott said.

A Fox News report said the number of visas revoked in 2025 is more than double the 40,000 cancelled in 2024, the final year of former president Joe Biden’s administration. While the majority of revocations this year involved business and tourist travellers who overstayed their visas, the report noted that 8,000 students and 2,500 specialised visa holders lost their permits due to criminal encounters.

Among specialised visa holders, nearly 50 per cent of revocations were linked to drunken driving arrests, around 30 per cent to assault, battery or confinement charges, and the remaining 20 per cent to offences including theft, child abuse, substance abuse and distribution, fraud and embezzlement.

The report further said nearly 500 students had their visas revoked for possession or distribution of drugs, while hundreds of foreign workers lost their permits over allegations related to child abuse.

Pigott said the administration would continue its “aggressive” enforcement through a new “continuous vetting centre”.

“The Trump administration will continue to put America first and protect our nation from foreign nationals who pose a risk to public safety or national security,” he said.

The Trump administration has significantly tightened immigration controls, targeting both illegal and legal immigration, and has also toughened entry rules for those seeking to work or study in the US.

From December 15, the State Department began enhanced screening of H-1B and dependent H-4 visa applicants, including scrutiny of social media profiles. Several H-1B visa interviews scheduled across India have since been postponed, leaving many applicants who travelled for visa stamping stranded for months.

The State Department has repeatedly maintained that a US visa is a privilege, not a right, and said it relies on all available information during screening and vetting to identify applicants who may pose a threat to national security or public safety.

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