The administration of United States President Donald Trump has revoked more than 300,000 visas since he began his second term in January 2025, the US State Department has disclosed.
The announcement, made on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, marks a significant increase from the more than 175,000 visa revocations reported by the department in August, underscoring the administration’s intensified immigration enforcement efforts.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the administration had revoked visas at a faster rate than any previous US administration.
He said the government maintained a zero-tolerance policy toward foreign nationals who violate US laws, commit fraud or pose threats to national security.
According to US authorities, visa revocations have involved various offences, including assault, driving under the influence, theft, drug-related crimes and immigration fraud.
Crackdown Extends to Social Media Activities
The visa cancellations have also affected some foreign nationals over their public statements and participation in political demonstrations.
Among the cases criticised by rights advocates are visa revocations involving foreign participants in pro-Palestinian protests against Israel’s military operations in Gaza, as well as individuals whose social media comments concerned the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
The Trump administration has also tightened social media screening for immigrants and visa applicants as part of its broader immigration enforcement measures.
Rights Groups Raise Concerns
While the administration says its policies are designed to strengthen national security and enforce immigration laws, human rights advocates have raised concerns about due process, freedom of expression and possible racial profiling.
Critics argue that some enforcement measures risk targeting individuals for their political views and could create an atmosphere of uncertainty among immigrant communities.
They have also questioned the broader impact of the administration’s approach on legal immigration, particularly as additional restrictions and higher fees have made some immigration pathways more difficult.
Legal Immigration Faces Tighter Restrictions
Trump campaigned on reducing illegal immigration and strengthening border security. Since returning to office in January 2025, his administration has expanded enforcement measures affecting both undocumented migrants and foreign nationals holding valid visas.
The latest figures indicate an acceleration in visa cancellations, although the State Department’s announcement does not provide a complete breakdown of the more than 300,000 revocations by nationality or visa category.
The administration has maintained that the measures are necessary to protect US citizens and prevent abuse of the immigration system, while critics continue to call for safeguards to ensure that enforcement actions respect individual rights.