TULSA, Okla. –The U.S. Department of State says the Trump administration has revoked more than 100,000 visas in less than a year, including about 8,000 student visas tied to people who had encounters with law enforcement. The department says the total marks a new record and represents more than a 150% increase in visa revocations since 2024.
Officials say the move is focused on public safety and national security, while immigration attorneys question how law enforcement encounters are being used in visa decisions.
Attorneys say revocations lack clarity
Immigration attorney Lorena Rivas says applying for a visa has always required extensive vetting, but she’s now seeing visas revoked without clear explanations.
“I think it’s just been a waste of government resources when they’re overly vetting, overly delaying processes, and overly discourage people from applying for any type of visa,” Rivas said.
She says some revocations stem from minor law enforcement encounters, even when charges were later dismissed.
“Anybody who’s arrested, they’re still innocent until they plead guilty or until they’re found guilty,” Rivas said. “Many of them did get their charges dismissed, but their visas were still revoked.”
White House defends policy
The White House has defended the approach, saying visas are discretionary.
Karoline Leavitt, the White House Press Secretary, said, “Having a visa in the United States is not a right, it is a privilege.”
“The Trump administration has no higher priority than protecting American citizens and upholding American sovereignty. In less than one year, the State Department revoked over 100,000 visas from foreign nationals, marking a new record and more than a 150% increase in revocations since 2024.
The State Department revoked visas from thousands of foreign nationals charged or convicted with crimes, including assault, theft, and driving under the influence. The State Department’s recently-launched Continuous Vetting Center works to ensure that all foreign nationals on American soil comply with our laws — and that the visas of those who pose a threat to American citizens are swiftly revoked.
The Trump administration will continue to put America first and protect our nation from foreign nationals who pose a risk to public safety or national security,” Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson said.
Unclear standards, global impact
Rivas says the message being sent internationally could make the U.S. appear unwelcoming, even as the country relies heavily on immigrant labor, including students and skilled workers.
