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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 administration states that the majority of these revocations are due to criminal activity—such as assault, drug crimes, theft, and driving under the influence—critics and reports suggest the policy is also being used as a political tool.
High-profile revocations have targeted foreign leaders and officials, including former Colombian President Gustavo Petro and Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes. Additionally, the administration has targeted individuals involved in 'birth tourism' and those who have expressed political dissent.
The impact on the academic community has been significant, with over 8,000 student visas revoked. This has prompted 91 universities and the Presidents’ Alliance on Higher Education and Immigration to file an amicus curiae in the U.S. Court of Appeals, warning of the uncertainty and disruption caused to international students and research.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has emphasized that a visa is a 'privilege, not a right,' asserting the government's authority to cancel entry permissions for those acting against U.S. 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 well corroborated each claim is across sources.
- [● 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
- [● 4 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
- [● 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
- [○ 1 SOURCE] The Department of Homeland Security issued a rule modifying stay requirements for F-1 visa students. www.prensalibre.com
- [● 4 SOURCES] Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that visas are a privilege, not a right. www.jamaicaobserver.com · jornadabc.com.mx · frontenet.com · www.prensalibre.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
- [● 5 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
- [● 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