US revokes over 300,000 visas under Trump’s immigration crackdown

The administration of US President Donald Trump has revoked more than 300,000 visas since he began his second term in January 2025, as the government intensifies its immigration enforcement policies.

The US Department of State announced the latest figure on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, marking a significant increase in visa cancellations targeting foreign nationals accused of violating US laws, committing fraud or posing national security risks.

According to Reuters, the department reported that more than 175,000 visas had been revoked as of August 10, before the figure rose to 250,000 in September.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the administration had revoked visas at a faster pace than any previous US administration.

He maintained that the measures were necessary to enforce immigration laws, protect public safety and safeguard national security.

The latest figures highlight the expanding scope of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, which has affected foreign nationals seeking to enter or remain in the United States through both legal and irregular migration channels.

However, the policy has drawn criticism from human rights advocates, who have raised concerns about due process, freedom of expression and the potential for discriminatory enforcement.

Among the controversial cases are visa cancellations involving foreign nationals who participated in pro-Palestinian protests and individuals whose social media comments about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk attracted scrutiny.

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The administration has also expanded social media screening for immigrants and visa applicants, making online activity an increasingly important consideration in immigration decisions.

Rights advocates have warned that broad interpretations of national security and expanded online scrutiny could be used to penalise government critics or disproportionately affect particular immigrant communities.

Trump campaigned on a promise to curb illegal immigration and strengthen border security. Since returning to office, however, his administration has introduced measures that have also made some categories of legal immigration more difficult, including higher fees for certain work visas.

The State Department has not publicly disclosed the nationalities of all foreign nationals affected by the latest round of visa revocations.

The absence of a comprehensive breakdown makes it difficult to determine the full geographical distribution of the cancellations or assess their specific impact on international students, skilled workers, tourists and other visa holders.

The development comes amid broader changes to US immigration policy, with the administration maintaining that stricter enforcement is essential to national security while critics question the scope, transparency and potential consequences of the measures.

The rising number of visa cancellations is expected to remain a major concern for international travellers, universities, employers and foreign nationals whose ability to study, work or visit the United States may be affected by the evolving rules.