U.S. cancels 8,000 student visas, 2,500 work permits in sweeping immigration drive

The United States government has revoked more than 100,000 visas within the first year of President Donald Trump’s second term, according to figures released by the State Department on Monday.

A statement posted on the department’s official X (formerly Twitter) account revealed that the cancellations included about 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised work permits. The revocations form part of a broader crackdown on foreign nationals accused of criminal activities or immigration violations.

State Department spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, said the policy reflects the administration’s priority of protecting national security and enforcing U.S. immigration laws.

“The Trump administration has no higher priority than protecting American citizens and upholding American sovereignty,” Pigott said. “We will continue to remove individuals who break our laws to keep America safe.”

He added that thousands of the revoked visas were linked to offences such as assault and drunk driving, noting that the action is part of an expanded mass deportation programme supported by increased deployment of federal agents.

The administration has also introduced tougher screening measures for visa applicants, including checks on social media activity, as part of efforts to tighten entry into the country.

The latest figures come one year after President Trump was sworn in for a second term on January 20, 2025, with immigration control remaining a central pillar of his policy agenda. Data from the Department of Homeland Security shows that over 605,000 people have been deported under the current administration, while about 2.5 million foreign nationals are still residing in the U.S. under various legal arrangements.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, recently defended the revocation of visas issued to some foreign students who took part in protests against Israel. He cited U.S. laws that allow the government to deny entry or withdraw visas from foreigners deemed to be acting against American foreign policy interests.