US revokes more than 175,000 visas
The US State Department on Monday announced the revocation of more than 175,000 visas since January 2025, when President Donald Trump began his second term. When a visa, which for many was a ticket to the American dream, becomes a worthless piece of paper at the stroke of a bureaucratic pen, hundreds of thousands of people find themselves facing closed doors. The Trump administration, having returned to the White House in January 2025, has from the very start taken a hard line on immigration, and the new figures – 175,000 visas revoked in less than a year – are a loud statement of intent.
Authorities emphasise that a visa is not a right but a privilege, and any violation of the law can cost a foreigner the chance to remain on American soil. But behind every revoked visa lies someone's job, studies, family, life plans. And while the government reports on fighting crime, thousands of people are forced to reconsider their futures, and the world watches as America tightens the screws.
"Most of these visas were revoked in connection with law enforcement incidents involving a range of crimes, the main reasons being assault, drunk driving, theft and drug related offences," the department said in a statement. "A significant number of visas were revoked for reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud and embezzlement, and other crimes," the statement said. "A visa to the United States is a privilege, not a right.
The department remains committed to using all available tools to protect our communities from those who abuse it," the statement added. Since Trump's return to the White House, his administration has tightened immigration policy, stepped up efforts against illegal immigration and increased scrutiny of visa holders in the US.
The visa revocations are part of a broader campaign that the Trump administration has been waging since the first day of his second term. In January 2025, the president signed several executive orders aimed at restricting both illegal and legal immigration. Particular attention is being paid to vetting the reliability of foreigners already in the country and tightening requirements for visa extensions. According to the State Department, most of the revoked visas were in the tourist and student categories, although work visas are also affected.
Critics of the policy argue that the measures are overly harsh and could harm international exchange and the economy, especially in the high tech and education sectors, where foreign professionals and students play an important role. However, officials insist that national security is a priority and that any violation of the law must have consequences.
As CCTV+ reports, the revocation of 175,000 visas has become yet another confirmation of the Trump administration's tough line on restricting immigration, and this move has already raised concern among both foreign nationals in the US and international partners watching events unfold.
