US revokes over 100,000 visas since Trump’s second term, cites criminal violations

The United States State Department has announced that it has revoked more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to the White House for a second term in January 2025, targeting travellers who overstayed or violated US laws.

In November 2025, the State Department had reported 80,000 revocations since the start of the year, indicating a continued crackdown on visa holders throughout the year.

Most of the revocations involved business and tourist travellers who had overstayed their permitted durations in the country.

On Monday, the department disclosed via an X post that 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised worker visas were also revoked.

Officials said many of these students and workers had criminal encounters with law enforcement authorities. Nearly 500 student visas were revoked for drug possession and distribution, while hundreds of foreign workers lost their visas over alleged child abuse.

Among specialised workers, approximately half of the revocations were linked to drunken driving arrests, the State Department spokesperson added.

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The revocations come in the context of a broader review of US visa holders. In August 2025, the Trump administration announced it would examine the records of all 55 million foreigners with valid US visas to ensure compliance with US laws.

The State Department reiterated its tough stance on immigration in the X post, stating: “We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe.”

When President Trump began his second term, he declared a national emergency at the southern border in his inaugural address, promising to crack down on “illegal” immigration.

Since then, the US has tightened visa requirements, revised policies, and implemented travel restrictions affecting several countries, including Nigeria, as part of efforts to reinforce national security and reduce unlawful stays.

Experts note that the visa revocations signal a continued focus on compliance enforcement and may affect international students, skilled workers, and business travellers seeking access to the United States.