Rubio: Visa System Must Reflect U.S. National Interest as Revocations Surge

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Washington: The U.S. State Department has revoked more than 100,000 visas in 2025, including approximately 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised work visas, as part of a sweeping immigration enforcement campaign under the Trump administration, officials said.

According to State Department Principal Deputy Spokesperson Tommy Pigott, the revocations mark a record increasecompared with the roughly 40,000 visas cancelled in 2024, reflecting a more aggressive approach to national security and public safety.

The majority of the visa cancellations involved business and tourist travellers who overstayed their authorised period in the U.S. However, thousands of student and specialised work visas were also revoked, many linked to individuals who had encounters with U.S. law enforcement for crimes such as assault, theft, driving under the influence, drug offences and other serious offences, Pigott said.

In a statement reported by multiple outlets, the State Department emphasised its commitment to revoking the visas of foreign nationals deemed to pose risks to U.S. citizens and national interests. “We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe,” the department said in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

The visa revocations come amid heightened scrutiny of foreign nationals in the United States, including enhanced screening measures and the establishment of a new Continuous Vetting Centerdesigned to monitor compliance with U.S. laws and swiftly identify visa holders whose conduct may warrant cancellation.

Republican Senator and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose department oversees visa policy, has defended the crackdown, saying authorities have both the right and responsibility to remove individuals from the country whose presence runs counter to U.S. interests. Rubio has repeatedly emphasised that the visa system must protect national security and prioritise American safety.

While the policy has drawn support from those advocating stricter immigration controls, civil liberties groups and some academic institutions have raised concerns about the pace and breadth of visa revocations, particularly for students and workers who may face abrupt disruptions to their studies and employment.