President Donald Trump’s administration has revoked approximately 80,000 non-immigrant visas. The U.S. Department of State disclosed that among those affected are Nigerians and other foreign nationals, citing offenses ranging from driving under the influence (DUI), assault, to theft as major causes for the cancellations.
A senior State Department official, speaking anonymously, detailed that about 16,000 visa revocations were linked to DUI, 12,000 to assault, and around 8,000 due to theft, representing nearly half of all revocations this year. These cancellations impact various visa categories, including work, student, and visitor visas.
The administration’s intensified immigration enforcement has also led to record levels of deportations, even for individuals previously holding valid visas. Beyond criminal offenses, the administration has expanded its visa scrutiny to incorporate mandatory social media screening for all applicants. This includes evaluating applicants’ online behavior, with some visas revoked over politically sensitive social media posts. For example, at least six individuals lost their visas last month after sharing comments regarding the assassination of conservative activist and Trump ally Charlie Kirk.
The White House press secretary, Carolyn Levit, confirmed the scale of these revocations in a statement, emphasizing the administration’s commitment to “maintaining border integrity and ensuring visa holders uphold American laws.”
Secretary of State Marco Rubio further indicated that hundreds or thousands of visas have been revoked for activities perceived to contradict U.S. foreign policy objectives.
The administration’s policy changes signify a more aggressive immigration stance, with enhanced background checks, social media vetting, and consular discretionary powers now in place. Vice President JD Vance has advocated for a slowdown in legal immigration arrests amid the crackdown.
Civil liberties advocates have raised concerns, particularly over revocations triggered by political speech online, warning that such moves blur the line between national security and censorship, potentially undermining constitutional protections.
In 2025 alone, more than 6,000 student visas were canceled, primarily for overstaying or legal violations, but also for reasons linked to alleged support for terrorism. The administration insists these measures are necessary to maintain the integrity of U.S. borders in a challenging global security environment.
This sweeping visa revocation effort reflects the Trump administration’s hardline approach to immigration policy, combining law enforcement with new digital surveillance technologies to enforce compliance with U.S. laws and policies
