US, Jan 13 : The United States has revoked more than 100,000 visas issued to foreign nationals in less than a year, marking the highest number of cancellations on record, according to the US State Department. The move reflects a sharp escalation in immigration enforcement under President Donald Trump, with a renewed focus on internal security and post entry monitoring.
Officials said the scale of revocations represents a significant increase compared to previous years and underscores the administration’s push to strengthen border controls and tighten oversight of visa holders already present in the country.
“The Trump administration has no higher priority than protecting American citizens and upholding American sovereignty,” Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the US State Department, said in a statement released on Monday.
Sharp rise in visa cancellations since 2024
Pigott said the data points to a major jump in enforcement actions.
“In less than one year, the State Department revoked over 100,000 visas from foreign nationals, marking a new record and more than a 150 per cent increase in revocations since 2024,” he said.
According to the department, the cancelled visas involved individuals who were charged with or convicted of criminal offences, including assault, theft, and driving under the influence.
“The State Department revoked visas from thousands of foreign nationals charged or convicted with crimes,” Pigott said, adding that public safety considerations were central to the decisions.
Continuous Vetting Center driving enforcement
Officials attributed the surge in revocations to the Continuous Vetting Center, a monitoring system introduced during Trump’s tenure that tracks visa holders after their arrival in the United States.
Unlike earlier processes that focused primarily on screening at the time of application or entry, the new system allows authorities to continuously monitor visa holders and take swift action if they are found to be in violation of US laws or pose security risks.
“The Continuous Vetting Center ensures that all foreign nationals on American soil comply with our laws, and that the visas of those who pose a threat are swiftly revoked,” Pigott said.
He added that the policy is part of a broader national security approach.
“The Trump administration will continue to put America first and protect our nation from foreign nationals who pose a risk to public safety or national security,” he said.
The State Department did not specify which countries were most affected by the revocations, nor did it provide a breakdown of cancelled visas by category, such as tourists, students, or long-term residents.
The announcement comes amid ongoing debate in the US over immigration enforcement, border security, and how to balance national security priorities with legal immigration pathways. Visa revocation powers allow US authorities to cancel previously issued visas if holders are deemed ineligible or considered a threat to public safety or national security.