In a major immigration enforcement move, the United States has cancelled 85,000 visas across various categories this year, according to senior State Department officials quoted by IANS. The crackdown, described as a push to “keep American communities safe,” includes the revocation of more than 8,000 student visas, which is more than double last year’s count.
Officials said many cancellations were linked to criminal incidents such as drunk driving (DUIs), assault, and theft, which together accounted for nearly half of all visa revocations. “These are people who pose a direct threat to our communities’ safety, and we do not want them in our country,” the official stated.
The U.S. has also previously revoked visas for reasons such as expired documentation, suspected terrorism links, and concerns related to anti-American ideology.
Focus on international students
A significant portion of this year’s cancellations involved international students who participated in protests against the Gaza war. Some were accused of promoting antisemitism or supporting extremist views. Since June, U.S. embassies have been instructed to screen student visa applicants for hostility toward American institutions, culture, or government.
When asked whether working in “fact-checking” or “content moderation” could now affect visa decisions, the State Department clarified that the U.S. values freedom of speech but is acting against foreign nationals who attempt to censor Americans online. New Trump-era policies introduced in May allow visa restrictions for individuals involved in online censorship activities.
Officials stressed, however, that visa eligibility is never determined by a single factor, and consular teams evaluate the “totality of circumstances” before rejecting an applicant.
Stricter vetting for high-risk regions
The U.S. continues to enforce strict background checks, especially for applicants from high-risk countries. Regarding Afghanistan, officials expressed ongoing concerns about post-withdrawal instability. “We want to make sure we can properly vet and confirm that visa applicants won’t be a threat,” the official said.
No visas will be issued unless all security checks are fully completed, even if delays occur. “We will take as much time as it takes,” the official added.
Continuous monitoring of visa holders
Under updated policy guidelines, the U.S. now continuously vets all 55 million-plus individuals who hold valid visas. Applicants are also required to keep their social media profiles public during the review process, allowing U.S. authorities to monitor online activity.
Originally published on 24×7-news.com.
