WASHINGTON (Diya TV) — The U.S. State Department has revoked more than 250,000 visas since President Donald Trump took office, according to a department official cited by Fox News Digital. The move comes as the administration expands immigration enforcement and increases visa screening.
The State Department said the visa revocations involved several types of violations. These included breaking visa rules, criminal activity, fraud, threats of violence, and concerns tied to national security.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the department now conducts continuous screening of visa holders. He said officials are using that process to identify people who violate U.S. laws or visa requirements.
The department also said a U.S. visa does not guarantee entry or continued eligibility. Officials can revoke a visa when a holder no longer meets the requirements for it.
The latest figure marks a major expansion of the administration’s visa enforcement efforts. It also comes as the State Department reviews immigration and visa policies across several categories.
In a separate action, the department revoked the visas of 27 Latin American officials, former officials and family members over corruption allegations, according to the report. The individuals came from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
The administration has also focused on people who entered the visa system before later seeking asylum in the United States. Officials have considered revoking some business and tourist visas held by foreign nationals who later filed asylum claims.
The effort could affect as many as 200,000 people, according to earlier reports. It would target certain B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has defended the effort. He argued that asylum should remain a protection for people facing persecution and should not serve as a way to bypass U.S. immigration rules.
The administration has also increased screening tied to national security and public safety. In February, the State Department said the government had suspended or limited visa issuance for nationals of dozens of countries under a presidential proclamation.
The department said the restrictions focus on security concerns and require more rigorous screening in affected cases. However, the proclamation also stated that valid visas issued before the restrictions took effect were not revoked under that order.
In August, the State Department also reported more than 175,000 visa revocations, according to the report cited by Fox News. The department said many cases involved encounters with U.S. law enforcement.
Officials cited several types of alleged criminal conduct. These included assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug-related offenses. Other cases involved allegations of reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud and embezzlement.
The visa crackdown reflects a broader shift in U.S. immigration policy under the Trump administration. The State Department has emphasized national security, public safety and stricter screening as key parts of its visa process.
At the same time, visa revocation remains separate from the process of deciding asylum claims. A person who seeks asylum must still go through the applicable U.S. immigration process.
The State Department continues to update visa policies and screening rules. As a result, foreign nationals with U.S. visas may face additional checks or changes in eligibility depending on their individual circumstances.
The department’s latest actions show that visa enforcement has become a central part of the administration’s broader immigration strategy. The scale of the reported revocations also highlights the increased scrutiny facing foreign nationals seeking to enter or remain eligible to travel to the United States. Former officials and family members from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. It cited corruption allegations and obstruction of efforts to combat crime.
The administration also announced plans in August to revoke business and tourist visas held by people who subsequently applied for asylum. The department said it would coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security to identify affected visa holders, but did not confirm how many visas it would cancel. The Associated Press reported that the proposal could affect up to 200,000 people.
Visa revocations differ from restrictions on issuing new visas. A separate presidential proclamation that took effect in January suspended or limited visa issuance and entry for nationals of designated countries. The State Department says that proclamation does not revoke visas issued before its effective date.
A visa allows a traveler to request entry into the United States; it does not guarantee admission. Customs and Border Protection determines whether to admit a traveler and how long that person may stay.
