State Dept revokes over 250,000 visas under second Trump term

The State Department has revoked more than 250,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office, as the administration continues to crack down on illegal immigration and expand vetting of foreign nationals who enter the country. The revocations have largely targeted visa holders accused of criminal activity and fraud.

According to a report by Fox News, the revoked visas included those belonging to individuals who called for violence against Americans, defrauded the immigration system, or otherwise posed potential threats to national security. The total also includes approximately 2,300 visas connected to birth tourism, in which foreign pregnant women come to the US and give birth so their child can obtain citizenship.

"Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio, the State Department has now revoked more than 250,000 visas — a historic milestone that reflects our unwavering commitment to protecting the American people," said State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott.

"Every visa decision is a national security decision. Through continuous vetting on a scale never seen before, we are identifying and removing those who commit crimes, support terrorism, defraud Americans, or abuse our immigration system," Pigott continued. "A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right — and if you violate the terms of that privilege, you will lose it. We will not stop until every foreign national who threatens the safety of our communities is held accountable."

In August alone, the State Department revoked over 175,000 visas, most of which were linked to law enforcement encounters involving criminal activity such as driving under the influence and drug crimes.

The Trump administration has also revoked visas belonging to 27 Latin American officials, along with certain family members, from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru. The revocations were due to allegations of corruption and drug trafficking. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said earlier this month that the administration would target foreign officials connected to drug and human trafficking. 

“Under the Trump Administration, corrupt foreign officials can no longer freely enter the United States,” the State Department said in a statement on Monday. 

“Undermining a democratically-elected government is a threat to security and rule of law in the Americas and will not be tolerated,” the department added. “This is a durable mechanism that allows the United States to act quickly, in coordination with our partners, as evidence develops.”