Trump Administration Revokes Over 175,000 US Visas Amid Increased Scrutiny

Over 175,000 US visas have been revoked by the State Department, a result of increased scrutiny under the Trump administration. The cancellations are linked to various reasons, including criminal charges, fraud, and immigration violations.

The majority of revocations were due to law-enforcement encounters, with offences ranging from assault and drunk driving to theft and drug-related crimes. Some cases involve serious allegations, such as felony rape and sexual battery, kidnapping, human trafficking, and the sexual exploitation of minors.

The State Department has also pointed out alleged fraud and misuse of the immigration system. In one case, a foreign national was accused of being involved in a Medicaid fraud scheme worth over $5 million. Another individual was running a company using false information to mislead investors into handing over millions of dollars.

Additionally, more than 100 visas were revoked in 'birth tourism' cases, where parents were travelling to the US primarily to give birth so that their children would receive US citizenship. The administration's scrutiny has also extended to the conduct and public statements of foreign nationals, with some having their visas revoked for celebrating the assassination of Charlie Kirk or expressing a desire for violence against the US president.