Trump administration revokes over 300,000 US visas

The administration of US President Donald Trump has revoked more than 300,000 visas during his second term, accelerating its efforts to tighten immigration controls and enforce stricter rules for foreign nationals.

The US State Department announced the latest figure on Tuesday, saying the number of visa cancellations had increased significantly in recent weeks. In an update issued on August 10, the department had reported more than 175,000 revocations since Trump began his second term in January 2025.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the administration had revoked visas at a faster rate than any previous administration. He added that the government maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards foreign nationals on visas who break the law, commit fraud or threaten national security.

The Trump administration has defended its immigration crackdown and deportation campaign as necessary measures to strengthen domestic security. However, civil rights organisations have raised concerns about due process, freedom of expression and the potential targeting of ethnic minorities.

Critics have particularly objected to the cancellation of visas belonging to foreign nationals who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations against Israel’s military campaign in Gaza. Other cases have involved foreign nationals whose social media comments about the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk attracted scrutiny.

The administration has also tightened social media screening for immigrants and visa applicants as part of its broader immigration enforcement measures.

Rights advocates argue that national security concerns have been used to target critics of the government. They have also warned against using individual cases of alleged fraud to justify broader scrutiny of immigrant communities, including Somali Americans in Minnesota.

Although Trump campaigned in 2024 on a pledge to curb illegal immigration, his administration has introduced measures that have also made legal immigration more difficult. These include higher fees for certain work visas and stricter screening procedures for foreign applicants.

The latest figures highlight the scale of the administration’s immigration enforcement drive, which has expanded beyond illegal border crossings to include visa holders and people seeking lawful entry into the United States.

While the government says the measures are necessary to enforce immigration laws and protect national security, critics maintain that the policies risk restricting lawful immigration and undermining civil liberties.