Trump administration revokes over 300,000 visas in second term

Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 20 Oct, 17:44 · Archive

The Trump administration has revoked more than 300,000 visas since taking office, according to State Department announcements. A State Department official said the revocations were done as a consequence for criminal activity, threats to public safety, immigration violations such as fraud or misrepresentation, and birth tourism. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the pace represented a faster rate than any administration in history. 'We have zero tolerance for foreigners here on visas who break the law, commit fraud, or undermine our national security,' Pigott stated.

In 2025, approximately a quarter of visas pulled were for assaults or related crimes, with another 22% for driving under the influence, 7% for theft, and 7% for substance abuse or distribution. Revocation numbers have accelerated in 2026 after 23,000 cases were vetted by the Bureau of Consular Affairs in 2025. The administration has adopted a stricter policy on granting visas alongside the revocations, with tightened social media vetting and expanded screening.

Rights advocates and human rights experts have condemned the Trump administration's social media screening efforts, which they say threaten free speech and amount to surveillance and the singling out of immigrants.

How it is being reported

• Trump official claims record-breaking 300,000 visas were revokedThe revocations targeted US visa holders who had allegedly broken the law, a spokesperson said.Al Jazeera · 20 Oct, 17:02
• Over 300K visas revoked so far in Trump’s second term, State Department announcesThe Trump administration has revoked more than 300,000 visas since the 47th president took office last year, The Post has learned.New York Post · 20 Oct, 13:01

In this story: Trump administration · State Department · Tommy Pigott · United States

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