Since January, the Donald Trump administration has revoked 85,000 visas of all categories, even before the immigration ban on 19 countries of concern was imposed earlier this month. This number of more than double the number pulled last year, the State Department said. The top reasons for the visa revocations are driving under the influence, assaults while other reasons include visa expiry, support for terrorism. In October, the State Department revoked some visas of those who allegedly celebrated Charlie Kirk’s murder. The State Department said the largest revocations were in August when the administration planned to implement a policy of continuous vetting of all foreigners who have valid US visas. The administration announced that it is not only watching illegal aliens but people who have legal documents to stay in the US are also being watched. Out of the 85,000 visa revocations, 8,000 visas were student visas, around 16,000 for DUI, 12,000 for assault and 8,000 for theft — in a partial breakup.
What is visa revocation?
Visa revocation is when the State Department cancels an existing visa and it can happen before entering the US or during the stay. In some cases, visa revocation does not automatically end the legal status but in some cases, individuals are asked to depart. A visa revocation appears on record and future visa applications ask if one’s visa was ever canceled or revoked and the reason behind it. Visa revocation has been part of the administration’s ongoing crackdown on immigrants which has been intensified after the DC shooting suspect was found to be an Afghan refugee. The administration put a ban on all immigration requests from 19 countries and ordered re-vetting of all those who have been granted asylum, Green Cards in the Biden administration.
