- The Trump administration has revoked more than 300,000 US visas since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, according to the US State Department
- State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the administration had cancelled visas at a faster pace than any previous US administration
- Civil rights advocates have raised concerns about visa cancellations involving pro-Palestinian protesters, social media users and members of ethnic minority communities
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The administration of US President Donald Trump has revoked more than 300,000 US visas since he began his second term in January 2025, the US State Department announced on Tuesday, October 20, 2026.
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The latest figure represents a sharp increase from the more than 175,000 visa revocations reported by the department on August 10, highlighting an acceleration in the government's immigration enforcement campaign.
According to Reuters, the administration has defended its broader immigration crackdown as necessary to improve domestic security. However, civil rights advocates argue that some measures have raised concerns about due process, freedom of expression and the treatment of ethnic minorities. Reuters report
US State Department explains the visa crackdown
Announcing the latest figures on social media platform X, State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the administration had cancelled visas at an unprecedented rate.
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Pigott stated that the Trump administration “has revoked more visas at a faster pace than any administration in history.”
He also defended the government's approach, saying:
“Let the message be clear: we have zero tolerance for foreigners here on visas who break the law, commit fraud, or undermine our national security. We are taking, and will continue to take, action to keep our borders, and our nation, secure.”
The administration says the revocations target foreign nationals accused of breaking US laws, committing visa fraud or posing threats to national security.
According to the New York Post, a State Department official said at least 4,000 visas had been revoked from foreign nationals “who engage in or facilitated birth tourism.” Birth tourism refers to travelling to another country to give birth, potentially allowing a child to acquire citizenship under that country's laws.
The administration has also tightened social media screening for immigrants and visa applicants as part of its wider enforcement measures. Certain work visa categories have faced higher fees, making some legal immigration pathways more expensive.
Rights groups question the impact of visa cancellations
The scale and direction of the revocations have drawn criticism from civil rights advocates, who argue that national security justifications may be used to target critics and restrict political expression.
Among the cases that have attracted particular criticism are visa cancellations involving foreign nationals who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations against Israel's military operations in Gaza.
Advocates have also raised concerns about foreign nationals whose visas were revoked over social media comments concerning the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Another area of concern involves Somali American communities in Minnesota. Rights advocates have questioned whether individual cases of fraud or alleged wrongdoing are being used to justify broader enforcement actions affecting immigrant communities.
According to Reuters, critics say the crackdown has raised concerns about racial profiling and created an environment of uncertainty, particularly for ethnic minorities.
The administration, meanwhile, maintains that its measures are intended to enforce immigration laws and protect national security.
What the developments mean for foreign nationals
The reported 300,000-plus revocations highlight the scale of the US government's current immigration enforcement efforts. However, the overall figure does not explain the circumstances behind every cancellation, and the reasons can differ from one case to another.
For foreign nationals living in the United States or planning to travel there, visa conditions and compliance with immigration law remain important considerations. Applicants should consult official US government guidance for information relevant to their specific visa category.
The debate over the crackdown continues to centre on the balance between a government's authority to enforce immigration rules and concerns about due process, freedom of expression and potential discrimination.
Source: Legit.ng