The United States government recently canceled more than 175,000 visas previously granted to foreign citizens. Officials cited national security risks, criminal behavior, and immigration violations as the primary reasons for this sweep.
A statement from the Department of State on Monday explained that many revocations stemmed from criminal encounters. Frequent offenses included assault, theft, drug-related charges, and driving under the influence. More severe cases involved charges of kidnapping, human trafficking, child sexual abuse, and domestic violence.
This initiative is part of a permanent vetting program designed to ensure visa holders follow U.S. immigration policies. Beyond standard criminal activity, authorities identified cases of fraud, including a $5 million Medicaid scheme and the falsification of company records to secure visas. A North African U.S. embassy specifically revoked over 100 visas tied to birth tourism.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio also utilized foreign-policy authority to target specific individuals. These include a Cuban national linked to regime influence, Iranians with government ties, and a Kuwaiti national who allegedly threatened violence against the U.S. president. The State Department emphasized that holding a U.S. visa is a privilege rather than a right and vowed to continue identifying individuals who jeopardize public safety.
