US Revokes 250,000 Visas in Sweeping Immigration Crackdown
US Revokes 250,000 Visas in Sweeping Immigration Crackdown
WASHINGTON: The United States has revoked more than 250,000 visas since Donald Trump returned to office, the State Department announced this week, putting a number on the US visa revocations Trump is pursuing as one of the largest immigration vetting drives in American history.
The figures were released as a new wave of immigration measures took effect, and they underline how far the Trump administration is prepared to go in tightening who is allowed to enter the United States.
What the numbers show
The revocations were ordered for a range of violations, according to the State Department. These include visa holders who broke the terms of their visas, committed crimes, called for violence against the US or Americans, defrauded Americans, abused the immigration system, or were judged a threat to national security.
Among the total, 2,300 visas were cancelled in connection with birth tourism, the practice of travelling to the US to give birth so the child gains American citizenship.
An earlier tally in August put revocations at 175,000. Most of those cases followed encounters with law enforcement, with assault, drunk driving, theft and drug offences the most common. Cases of sexual assault, child abuse, fraud and embezzlement were also included.
On September 28, the department separately revoked the visas of 27 people, including current and former officials from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru and their family members, over corruption allegations.
US visa revocations Trump: how the system works
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott described the tally as a historic milestone. “Every visa decision is a national security decision,” he said, adding that the department was vetting applicants on an unprecedented scale.
“A US visa is a privilege, not a right, and if you violate the terms of that privilege, you will lose it,” Pigott said. “We will not stop until every foreign national who threatens the safety of our communities is held accountable.”
The administration is also preparing to cancel business and tourist visas held by as many as 200,000 foreigners who applied for asylum in the US. The plan targets B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has said Americans are “fed up” with “bogus asylum claims”, arguing the system has been swamped by claims that take years to decide.
What this means for Pakistanis
Pakistanis are among the many nationalities affected by tighter US screening, and the message from Washington is aimed at all applicants. Consular officers are being told to treat every decision as a security decision, which means longer checks and less room for error.
Anyone holding a US visa should follow its terms carefully. Overstays, undeclared changes in travel purpose and any brush with law enforcement can now lead to cancellation under continuous vetting.
How many visas has the US revoked?
More than 250,000 since Donald Trump took office, according to the State Department, including 2,300 linked to birth tourism.
Why are the visas being revoked?
The department cites violations of visa terms, criminal conduct, calls for violence against the US, fraud, abuse of the immigration system and national security threats.
What did Tommy Pigott say?
The State Department spokesperson said “every visa decision is a national security decision” and that “a US visa is a privilege, not a right”, adding that violators would lose it.
Could more revocations follow?
Yes. The administration is preparing to revoke B1 and B2 visas held by up to 200,000 asylum applicants, and officials say vetting will continue on what they call an unprecedented scale.
