The US State Department announced on Monday that it has revoked more than 175,000 visas during President Donald Trump’s administration. The announcement was made less than two years after President Donald Trump began his second term.

"Under President Trump, the United States Department of State has revoked more than 175,000 visas from foreign nationals who violated the terms of their visas, committed crimes, called for violence against US citizens, defrauded Americans, abused our immigration system, or endangered national security, the agency said in a statement. The majority of these visas were revoked due to law enforcement encounters for a range of criminal activity, with assault, driving under the influence, theft, and drug crimes being the leading causes." The department added that a significant share of visas were revoked for reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud and embezzlement, and other crimes.

The State Department cited specific cases to illustrate the scope of the enforcement actions. One case involved a foreign national charged with felony rape and sexual battery, including of a victim who was mentally disabled. Another case involved a foreign national charged with felony kidnapping, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation of a minor. The department also cited a case involving a person facing more than a dozen counts of possessing child sexual abuse material.

Enforcement actions extended to allegations of immigration fraud. A US embassy in North Africa revoked over 100 visas for parents accused of "birth tourism," defined as coming to the United States primarily to give birth so their children would receive US citizenship. According to reports from Al Jazeera, the State Department reported that it had revoked over 175,000 visas, with the four leading causes being overstays, driving under the influence, assault, and theft.

The revocations also included individuals who expressed support for political violence. The State Department stated that some visa revocations involved foreign nationals who celebrated the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Charlie Kirk was a conservative activist who was assassinated last year.

According to a report from AP News, the U.S. State Department revoked visas for six foreigners who celebrated the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The State Department stated that one individual whose visa was revoked said, "when fascists die, democrats don’t complain." The agency noted that another individual whose visa was revoked said he "died too late."

"Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership, the State Department will continue to identify, investigate, and revoke the visas of foreign nationals who threaten the safety of the American people," the agency said. Marco Rubio serves as Secretary of State. President Donald Trump spoke at a White House event with Secretary of State Marco Rubio on August 7, 2026.

"A US visa is a privilege, not a right," the department said. "The Department remains committed to using every tool available to protect our communities from those who abuse it."

The current total represents an increase from earlier in the year. In January, the State he said it had revoked more than 100,000 visas. Donald Trump's second tenure as president began upon his inauguration as the 47th president on January 20, 2025.

The Trump administration has adopted stricter policies on granting visas, including tightened social media vetting and expanded screening. PureSource News previously reported that the Trump Administration planned to close five diplomatic posts. PureSource News also previously reported that the Trump Administration allowed a DACA recipient's return to the U.S. The United States Department of State is an executive department of the U.S. federal government that was established in 1789.

The scale of the revocations, exceeding 175,000 in less than two years, indicates a sustained enforcement effort under the current administration. The inclusion of speech-based criteria, such as celebrating an assassination, alongside criminal violations like assault and theft, marks a broad application of visa eligibility standards. The department's assertion that a visa is a privilege rather than a right provides the legal framework for these actions, which span from serious violent crimes to administrative violations like overstays and birth tourism.

Why It Matters

The revocation of over 175,000 visas in less than two years reflects the Trump administration's implementation of stricter policies, including expanded screening and tightened social media vetting. This enforcement effort targets a range of violations from criminal activity and immigration fraud to expressions of support for political violence. By framing a visa as a privilege rather than a right, the State Department signals a continued commitment to using these tools to remove foreign nationals deemed threats to public safety or national security.