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1h ago

State Department Says It Revoked Over 100,000 Visas Since January 2025

The record surge reflects a shift to continuous vetting with stricter screening that officials say focuses on overstays and criminal arrests.

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A general view of a U.S. State Department sign outside the U.S. State Department building in Washington, D.C., U.S., July 11, 2025. REUTERS/Annabelle Gordon/File Photo
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Overview

  • The department reports revoking more than 100,000 visas since January 2025, including about 8,000 for students and 2,500 for specialized workers after law-enforcement encounters.
  • Officials say most cancellations involved business and tourist overstays, with leading triggers including DUI, assault and theft.
  • The tally represents roughly a 150% increase from 2024, when about 40,000 visas were revoked.
  • A new Continuous Vetting Center and tighter screening, including expanded social media reviews, aim to identify threats and enable rapid revocations.
  • State Department directives instructed diplomats to scrutinize applicants for political activism deemed hostile to U.S. interests, with officials linking some enforcement to pro-Palestinian expressions.