- The US Department of Homeland Security published a list titled 'worst of the worst,' naming 52 Kenyans among those targeted
- State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the administration has zero tolerance for foreigners who break the law or threaten national security
- Pigott confirmed that social media activity is being scrutinised as part of the vetting process for visa holders
TUKO.co.ke journalist Japhet Ruto has over eight years of experience in financial, business, and technology reporting, offering insights into Kenyan and global economic trends.
The administration of the US president Donald Trump has revoked more than 300,000 visas as part of an intensifying federal immigration crackdown.
Source: Twitter
The Department of Homeland Security published the names under a list described as the "worst of the worst," identifying individuals whose visas have been cancelled on grounds related to law enforcement, fraud, or national security concerns.
The inclusion of dozens of Kenyan nationals on the Homeland Security list signals that the crackdown extends well beyond the United States' immediate borders and that African nationals are not exempt from the administration's enforcement priorities.
Search option is now available at TUKO! Feel free to search the content on topics/people you enjoy reading about in the top right corner ;)
Fifty-two Kenyan nationals appeared on the list of affected individuals.
What did the US government say?
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott addressed the crackdown through his X account, stating that every visa decision carries a national security dimension, even after a visa has already been issued.
"Every visa decision is a national security decision, and that standard doesn't stop once a visa is issued. If someone breaks the law or threatens our national security, that's grounds for visa revocation," Pigott said.
He further disclosed that social media platforms are now a formal part of the vetting process for visa holders.
"We are examining social media because it plays a significant role in our lives. We are reviewing those links to ensure that individuals undergo thorough vetting," he added.
Trump's broader immigration crackdown
The mass visa revocations are part of a wider pattern of aggressive immigration enforcement that has defined Trump's second term in office.
Since returning to the White House, the Trump administration has moved to tighten border controls, expand deportation operations, and impose stricter scrutiny on foreign nationals residing in or seeking entry to the United States.
Federal agencies have been directed to prioritise the removal of individuals with criminal records, outstanding immigration violations, or perceived links to activities deemed threatening to public order or national security.
The administration has repeatedly characterised these measures as essential to restoring what it calls integrity to the US immigration system.
Source: TUKO.co.ke
Authors:
Tags:
Hot: