The U.S. State Department said Oct. 20 that it has revoked more than 300,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025, as the administration expands screening of foreign nationals.
The total has risen from more than 175,000 reported by the department on Aug. 10. It had reported more than 100,000 revocations on Jan. 12, 2026.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said on X that no previous administration had revoked as many visas or moved as quickly. He said the actions targeted visa holders accused of breaking U.S. law, committing fraud or posing security threats.
An unnamed State Department official told Al Jazeera that suspected crimes and public safety risks accounted for most revocations. The official also cited immigration violations, fraud and misrepresentation, and linked more than 4,000 cases to alleged birth tourism.
The administration has increased scrutiny of visa applicants' social media activity, Al Jazeera reported. Advocates and experts cited by the outlet say the screening threatens free speech and subjects immigrants to surveillance. In an email to Al Jazeera, the department said it would continue taking action to secure the country.
