The United States Department of State has revoked more than 175,000 visas issued to foreign nationals accused of violating visa conditions, committing crimes, defrauding Americans, abusing the immigration system or posing threats to national security.
The department disclosed this on Monday in a fact sheet issued by the Office of the Spokesperson, saying the revocations followed its ongoing vetting of foreign nationals in the United States.
According to the statement, most of the revoked visas were linked to encounters with law enforcement over various criminal activities, with assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug-related offences among the leading causes.
It added that other visa revocations involved reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud, embezzlement and other criminal offences.
The department said it had also revoked visas belonging to foreign nationals accused of endorsing violence against Americans, engaging in fraudulent schemes and participating in illegal birth tourism.
Among the cases cited were foreign nationals charged with rape and sexual battery, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors, child sexual abuse and domestic violence.
The State Department also disclosed that a US embassy in North Africa had revoked more than 100 visas belonging to so-called “birth tourists” who allegedly travelled to the United States primarily to give birth so their children could obtain US citizenship.
Other cases involved a foreign national arrested while driving with heroin and a blood alcohol level reportedly more than three times the legal limit, as well as individuals accused of celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The department further cited cases involving alleged Medicaid fraud and investment scams, including a foreign national accused of helping orchestrate a scheme involving more than $5 million in fraudulent healthcare billings.
Another foreign national was accused of fabricating business revenue, deceiving investors and using false claims and forged letters to fraudulently obtain a US visa.
The department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had also determined that several foreign nationals were deportable on foreign policy grounds.
It said the cases included a Cuban national allegedly linked to an influence operation connected to the Cuban communist regime; Iranian nationals allegedly connected to the Iranian regime; a Laotian child sex offender who had been pardoned by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz; and a Kuwaiti national accused of expressing a desire for violence against US President Donald Trump.
The department said the latest actions reflected the Trump administration’s position that a US visa was a privilege rather than a right.
It added that the State Department would continue to identify, investigate and revoke the visas of foreign nationals considered threats to the safety and security of Americans.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership,” the department said, it would continue using available measures to protect American communities from individuals who abuse the US immigration system or otherwise threaten public safety.
