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U.S. Department of State revokes over 175,000 visas
The U.S. Department of State has revoked more than 175,000 visas since the beginning of Donald Trump's second term in January 2025. While the majority of these revocations are attributed to criminal activity—including assault, theft, drug crimes, and driving under the influence—the administration is also utilizing visa status as a tool for foreign policy and national security.
Significant impacts are being felt across several sectors. In higher education, over 8,000 student visas have been revoked, prompting 91 universities and the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration to file an amicus curiae in federal court. These institutions argue that the policies create an environment of uncertainty for international students and researchers. Additionally, new Department of Homeland Security rules are modifying stay requirements for F-1 visa holders, replacing duration of status with stricter timelines.
The administration has also targeted “birth tourism” through a new task force, leading to hundreds of visa revocations for foreign nationals traveling to give birth in the U.S. Furthermore, the use of visa revocations has extended to political figures, including Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Brazilian Judge Alexandre de Moraes, as well as various Mexican officials and their families. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized that a visa is a “privilege, not a right” and that the government will use all available tools to protect national interests.
Entities
Alexandre de Moraes · Donald Trump · Gustavo Petro · Joe Biden · Marco Rubio · U.S. Department of State
Claims
What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration and 91 universities filed an amicus curiae brief regarding the impact of visa revocations on students. www.eldiariodehoy.com · lapatilla.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The U.S. government maintains that a visa is a privilege, not a right. www.jamaicaobserver.com · jornadabc.com.mx · www.prensalibre.com
- [● 3 SOURCES] The majority of these visas were revoked due to law enforcement encounters for a range of criminal activity. www.jamaicaobserver.com · jornadabc.com.mx · www.prensalibre.com
- [● 5 SOURCES] The U.S. government has revoked more than 175,000 visas since the start of Donald Trump's second term in January 2025. brandaktuell.at · www.jamaicaobserver.com · jornadabc.com.mx · www.prensalibre.com · lajornadaestadodemexico.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] Many visa cancellations have had a political background. jornadabc.com.mx · frontenet.com
- [○ 1 SOURCE] Secretary of State Marco Rubio has determined that certain foreign nationals are deportable on foreign policy grounds. www.jamaicaobserver.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] The Department of Homeland Security issued a rule modifying stay requirements for F-1 visa students. www.prensalibre.com · www.europesays.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The U.S. Department of State reported over 175,000 visa revocations since the start of Donald Trump's second term in 2025. brandaktuell.at · jornadabc.com.mx · www.jamaicaobserver.com · www.prensalibre.com
- [● 6 SOURCES] The majority of visa revocations were due to criminal activity, including assault, DUI, theft, and drug crimes. www.eldiariodehoy.com · brandaktuell.at · jornadabc.com.mx · www.jamaicaobserver.com · www.prensalibre.com · +1 more
- [● 2 SOURCES] 91 universities and the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration filed an amicus curiae regarding visa policies. www.eldiariodehoy.com · lapatilla.com
- [● 2 SOURCES] More than 8,000 student visas were revoked in 2025. www.eldiariodehoy.com · lapatilla.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] The U.S. Department of State stated that visas are a privilege, not a right. www.jamaicaobserver.com · jornadabc.com.mx · frontenet.com · www.prensalibre.com