US State Department cancels 85,000 visas since January

The US State Department has cancelled 85,000 visas across various categories since January 2025, more than double last year’s figure, as part of a new push under stricter immigration rules, a State Department official announced.

The surge in cancellations — which includes over 8,000 student visas — comes as the Trump administration intensifies efforts to scrutinise immigrants already in the United States and restrict new entries, Caliber.Az reports, citing CNN.

According to the department official, offences such as driving under the influence, assault, and theft made up “almost half of all revocations over the past year.”

The visa cancellations have sparked First Amendment concerns, with officials reportedly singling out international students involved in protests against the Gaza conflict, accusing them of antisemitism and supporting terrorism.

The State Department also stated in October that it had revoked visas for some individuals who allegedly “celebrated” Charlie Kirk’s murder.

“The State Department revokes visas any time there are indications of a potential ineligibility, which includes things like any indicators of overstays, criminal activity, threats to public safety, engaging in any form of terrorist activity, or providing support to a terrorist organisation,” an official noted.

During President Donald Trump’s second term, the State Department expanded the grounds on which visa applicants could be investigated or denied entry.

Earlier this year, the administration limited travel to the US from 19 countries.

CNN reported last week that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is recommending expanding the list to 30–32 countries, following a Washington, DC, shooting that injured two National Guard members. The suspect in the incident is an Afghan national.

By Jeyhun Aghazada