The United States Department of State has revoked more than 100,000 visas, including thousands issued to international students and specialised professionals, over alleged links to criminal activities.
The department disclosed this in a statement shared on its official X handle on Monday.
According to the statement, about 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised visas were among those withdrawn, following encounters between the affected visa holders and U.S. law enforcement agencies.
“The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised visas for individuals who had encounters with U.S. law enforcement for criminal activity,” the statement read.
U.S. officials said the action was part of broader efforts to strengthen public safety and ensure strict enforcement of immigration laws.
Reinforcing the government’s position, the department added: “We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe.”
The statement did not specify the exact timeline of the revocations or provide detailed information on the specific offences involved.
However, the move underscores the U.S. government’s continued crackdown on visa holders linked to criminal conduct.
The latest development follows similar actions in August 2025, when more than 6,000 international student visas were revoked for violations of U.S. laws and immigration regulations
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At the time, the State Department confirmed to the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC) that most of the violations involved offences such as assault, driving under the influence (DUI), burglary and alleged support for terrorism.
The Trump administration has intensified scrutiny of international students and visa applicants throughout 2025.
Earlier in the year, visa appointments were temporarily suspended, while applicants were later required, upon resumption in June, to make their social media accounts public as part of enhanced vetting procedures.
Officials said the review was aimed at identifying “any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.”