US Cancels About 80,000 Non-Immigrant Visas in Expanded Enforcement

A senior US State Department official told reporters on Wednesday that roughly 80,000 non-immigrant visas have been revoked since the current administration took office, part of a widened enforcement effort that has changed visa and deportation procedures across the country.

The cancellations cover a range of offenses. The official said about 16,000 revocations involved driving under the influence, roughly 12,000 were linked to assault, and approximately 8,000 stemmed from theft — together nearly half of the total cancellations.

"Those three categories make up a substantial portion of this year’s visa rescissions," the State Department source said, speaking on condition of anonymity.

The totals underscore the breadth of the administration’s policy, which was implemented soon after the new government took charge and targets not only undocumented migrants but also visa holders judged to have broken US laws or immigration rules.

In August, the department disclosed that more than 6,000 student visas were revoked for overstays and other legal violations, with some cases reportedly tied to alleged "support for terrorism." Washington has also stepped up social media checks and tightened vetting standards for applicants in recent months.

The department confirmed last month that at least six people lost visas over controversial social media posts related to the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has said visa restrictions will remain in place for those engaged in activities deemed "contrary to US foreign policy interests," including public expressions of support for Palestine or criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Diplomats have been instructed to watch applicants for signs of political activism, with some officials characterising certain actions as national security concerns. Critics warn the policy risks conflating law enforcement with political suppression, raising free speech and due-process issues.

As the administration continues to pursue this agenda, the volume of visa cancellations points to a sustained hardline posture that links domestic enforcement with Washington’s foreign-policy priorities.