The United States has revoked more than 175,000 visas issued to foreign nationals under President Donald Trump’s administration over alleged criminal activity, immigration violations and security concerns.
The US Department of State disclosed the figure in a statement issued on Monday, saying most of the visa revocations followed law enforcement encounters involving criminal offences.
According to the department, assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug-related offences were among the leading reasons for the cancellations.
Other cases involved allegations of reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud, embezzlement and other crimes.
The State Department said its continuous vetting operations are designed to ensure that foreign nationals comply with the conditions of their visas and do not pose a threat to public safety.
It said some visa holders had been charged with serious offences, including felony rape and sexual battery, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors, child sexual abuse and domestic violence.
The department also disclosed that a US embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas issued to parents accused of engaging in so-called birth tourism, where individuals travel to the United States primarily to give birth so their children can obtain US citizenship.
Other cases cited by the department included a foreign national allegedly arrested while driving with heroin and a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit.
The department also said some foreign nationals were accused of fraud and financial crimes.
One individual who claimed to operate a legitimate business helping vulnerable patients access healthcare allegedly helped organise a Medicaid fraud scheme involving more than $5 million in fraudulent billing.
Another foreign national was accused of fabricating company revenue and forging letters to deceive investors and fraudulently obtain a US visa.
The State Department further cited cases involving foreign nationals accused of celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk, including individuals who allegedly made statements appearing to endorse or celebrate his death.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has also determined that several foreign nationals are deportable on foreign policy grounds, according to the department.
The cases include a Cuban national allegedly linked to a Cuban communist regime influence operation, Iranian nationals with alleged links to the Iranian government, a Laotian child sex offender pardoned by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and a Kuwaiti national accused of expressing a desire for violence against the US president.
The Department of State said it would continue identifying, investigating and revoking visas belonging to foreign nationals it considers threats to public safety.
“A US visa is a privilege, not a right,” the department said, adding that it would use available measures to protect American communities from people who abuse the immigration system.
