State Department says Trump administration has revoked more than 300,000 visas
The department’s latest figure is up from more than 175,000 in August. The administration cites law enforcement and national security; rights advocates dispute aspects of the crackdown.
The US State Department said on October 20 that President Donald Trump’s administration had revoked more than 300,000 visas since his second term began in January 2025, Reuters reported. The figure marks a sharp rise in revocations as the administration tightens immigration enforcement and visa screening.
In an August 10 update, the department had put the total at more than 175,000, according to Reuters. Because both figures are thresholds rather than exact counts, they do not establish precisely how many visas were revoked between the two announcements. The department did not provide a breakdown of the latest total by visa type, nationality or reason for revocation in the announcement reported by Reuters.
Why the administration says it is revoking visas
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott announced the latest figure on X and said the administration had revoked visas at a faster pace than any previous administration, Reuters reported. That comparison is the administration’s claim. Pigott said it had zero tolerance for visa holders who break the law, commit fraud or undermine US national security.
Trump has said his immigration crackdown and deportation drive are intended to improve domestic security. His administration has also tightened social media screening of immigrants and visa applicants, Reuters reported. The visa measures extend its restrictions beyond people entering the country without authorization to those seeking or holding permission to enter legally.
Students, protesters and legal challenges
PBS NewsHour reported that the administration had increased vetting for student visas, terminated the legal status of thousands of students and attempted to limit how long people can hold student visas. International students described receiving revocation notices without an explanation; many visas were later restored following court challenges, PBS reported.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio previously said the department was revoking visas from people acting against US national interests, including people protesting Israel’s war in Gaza, according to PBS. Reuters reported that rights advocates have particularly condemned revocations involving some pro-Palestinian protesters and foreigners whose social media comments concerned the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
Rights advocates say the wider crackdown has violated due process and free speech rights and made ethnic minorities feel unsafe, Reuters reported. They have also raised concerns about racial profiling and the use of isolated fraud cases to justify broad scrutiny of immigrant communities. Those objections concern the way the policy is being applied, while the administration maintains that its enforcement serves security and legal compliance.
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Sources and context
- Trump administration says it has revoked over 300,000 visasThe Straits Times (Reuters)
- How the Trump administration’s crackdown on international students could affect the economyPBS NewsHour
AI-assisted article checked against the listed sources. NewsJaws did not conduct interviews or attend the reported events.