US revokes record number of visas under Trump administration

US authorities have revoked more than 175,000 visas of foreigners since the start of Donald Trump's second presidential term. This was reported by the US State Department on August 10. The figure includes already-issued visas that were subsequently revoked by American authorities.

The State Department stated that the grounds for revocation included violations of the terms of stay in the US, criminal offenses, fraud, incitement to violence, and actions that US authorities viewed as a threat to national security. Most of the decisions, according to the agency, were related to the visa holders' contacts with law enforcement agencies.

Among the most common reasons, the State Department cited assaults, driving under the influence of alcohol, theft, and drug-related crimes. The list also includes reckless driving, sexual offenses, child abuse, fraud, and embezzlement. The released data does not mean that all holders of revoked visas were convicted by a court.

US authorities have also stepped up checks for visa system misuse. Separate decisions were made regarding foreigners whom Washington accused of using tourist visas for so-called birth tourism—trips to the US with the primary purpose of giving birth and obtaining American citizenship for the child. The State Department has previously warned that such actions could become grounds for denial of future visas or travel to the country.

The tightening of visa policy is part of the Trump administration's broader immigration agenda. Since January 1, 2026, the US has fully or partially suspended the issuance of a number of visa categories to citizens of dozens of countries, explaining the restrictions by the need for enhanced national security controls. At the same time, the State Department specifically pointed out that visas that were valid before these restrictions took effect were not automatically revoked solely on the basis of the corresponding presidential decree.

The published summary in Der Standard also notes that the total number of visas revoked under Trump has exceeded 175,000, and among the stated reasons are visa rule violations, crimes, and national security threats.

Source: Der Standard, US State Department