The United States Department of State has announced the revocation of more than 100,000 visas, including thousands issued to international students and specialised professionals, as part of a sweeping immigration enforcement action.
In a statement shared on its official X (formerly Twitter) handle on Monday, the department disclosed that over 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised visas were among those withdrawn. According to U.S. authorities, the affected individuals had encounters with law enforcement linked to criminal activities.
“The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised visas for individuals who had encounters with U.S. law enforcement for criminal activity,” the statement read.
The department said the decision aligns with ongoing efforts to strengthen public safety and ensure strict enforcement of U.S. immigration laws, adding that deportation measures would continue.
“We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe,” the department stated.
However, officials did not provide specific details regarding the timeline of the revocations or the precise categories of offences involved.
This development follows a similar action in August 2025, when the U.S. government revoked more than 6,000 international student visas over violations of immigration laws and visa overstays. At the time, the U.S. State Department told the BBC that most cases involved offences such as assault, driving under the influence, burglary, and alleged links to terrorism.
The latest revocations are part of the Donald Trump administration’s broader crackdown on immigration and international students. Earlier in 2025, visa appointments for international students were temporarily suspended. When applications resumed in June, applicants were required to make their social media accounts publicly accessible to allow for enhanced background checks.
U.S. officials explained that the screening process focuses on identifying “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.”
The U.S. government also reiterated that visa application fees remain non-refundable, regardless of the outcome of any visa review or revocation process.
