# U.S. visa revocation and immigration enforcement

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/us-visa-revocation-and-immigration-enforcement
> Updated: 2026-10-26T09:00:00.000Z. Sources: 151. Developments: 7.

Since the start of President Donald Trump’s second term in January 2025, the U.S. Department of State has implemented aggressive immigration enforcement and vetting measures. By late September 2026, the administration reported that it had revoked over 250,000 visas, targeting individuals who violated visa terms, committed crimes, engaged in fraud, or posed national security risks. Specific reasons cited include assault, theft, drug offenses, and the incitement of violence against Americans. The crackdown also includes 2,300 revocations linked to ‘birth tourism,’ which State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott described as a “historic milestone” reflecting the policies of President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Enforcement has expanded to include the revocation of visas for 27 officials and their families from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru due to corruption allegations. The administration is also intensifying scrutiny on foreign scholars and students in sensitive technology sectors, such as AI and semiconductors. However, legal challenges have emerged; a federal judge in Massachusetts has ordered the administration to provide arguments by October 9, 2026, regarding proposed restrictions on student (F and J) and journalist (I) visas, after previously describing the administration's justifications as “exceptionally weak.” Regarding deportations, a report by the Migration Policy Institute (MPI) indicates that the United States oversaw approximately 980,000 deportations during the first 18 months of the second term, spanning January 20, 2025, to July 31, 2026. The analysis, conducted by former DHS official Marc Rosenblum using FOIA-obtained data, notes that the current deportation pace remains below the administration’s stated goal of one million people per year. Of these deportations, approximately 69% involved individuals intercepted at the border, while 31%—roughly 300,000 people—were immigrants arrested within the U.S. interior. Only 20% of those deported had criminal convictions.

## Claims

- At least 4,000 visas were revoked from individuals involved in or facilitating birth tourism. (disputed by 2 sources)
- The administration revoked 2,300 visas related to birth tourism. (disputed)
- The Trump administration has revoked over 300,000 visas since January 2025. (corroborated by 33 sources)
- As of August 10, the number of revoked visas was over 175,000. (corroborated by 32 sources)
- The Trump administration deported approximately 980,000 people between January 20, 2025, and July 31, 2026. (corroborated by 30 sources)
- The administration has implemented a zero tolerance policy for foreigners who break the law, commit fraud, or undermine national security. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- The administration's deportation rate is below its stated goal of 1 million people per year. (corroborated by 22 sources)
- 25% of revoked visas were due to assault or similar crimes. (corroborated by 16 sources)
- The administration has increased social media screening for immigrants and visa applicants. (corroborated by 16 sources)
- The Department of Homeland Security stopped publicly releasing deportation and removal statistics in January 2025. (corroborated by 16 sources)
- Only 20% of the 980,000 deportees had been convicted of a crime. (corroborated by 13 sources)

## Timeline

### 2026-10-26: U.S. State Department issues few visas following 75-country pause ruling

Following a court order to lift a 75-country immigrant visa pause, the U.S. State Department has issued only 318 visas out of over 43,000 affected applications, leading to claims of administrative delays.

3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-state-department-issues-few-visas-following-75-country-pause-ruling

### 2026-10-22: Migration Policy Institute report: 980,000 deportations under Trump

A Migration Policy Institute report estimates the Trump administration deported 980,000 people in 18 months, with 69% intercepted at the border and only 20% having criminal convictions.

53 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-government-revokes-over-300000-visas-under-trump-administration

### 2026-10-20: United States revokes over 300,000 visas under Trump administration

The Trump administration has revoked over 300,000 U.S. visas since January 2025, citing law violations and national security concerns amid intensified immigration enforcement.

85 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/united-states-implements-aggressive-visa-restrictions-and-revocations

### 2026-10-18: U.S. immigration levels drop significantly under Trump administration

U.S. legal immigration has dropped by approximately half under the Trump administration, with immigrant visa issuances falling to 26,000 in February. Africa and Central Asia saw the steepest declines.

11 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-legal-immigration-visas-drop-by-half-under-trump-administration

### 2026-10-09: Trump Administration revokes over 175,000 visas

The Trump Administration has revoked over 175,000 visas due to criminal activity, immigration violations, and security concerns, marking a significant increase compared to 2025.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/trump-administration-revokes-over-175000-visas-1

### 2026-10-02: U.S. State Department revokes over 250,000 visas

The U.S. State Department has revoked over 250,000 visas due to criminal activity and security concerns, while a federal judge demands arguments regarding new restrictions on student and journalist visas.

8 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-state-department-revokes-over-250000-visas-1

### 2026-09-29: U.S. State Department revokes over 250,000 visas

The U.S. State Department has revoked over 250,000 visas since President Trump took office, citing criminal activity, fraud, and national security risks, including a crackdown on birth tourism.

10 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/us-state-department-revokes-over-250000-visas

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Cite as: U.S. visa revocation and immigration enforcement. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/us-visa-revocation-and-immigration-enforcement
