The US State Department revealed that the Trump administration has canceled more than 100,000 visas of foreign nationals in under a year, setting a new enforcement record. Tommy Pigott, Principal Deputy Spokesperson at the State Department, emphasized the administration’s commitment to safeguarding American citizens and sovereignty. This action, a significant increase from previous years, targeted individuals accused or convicted of various criminal offenses.
The revocations included visas of foreign nationals charged or convicted of crimes like assault, theft, and driving under the influence. The administration attributed this surge in cancellations to the implementation of enhanced screening and monitoring measures under President Donald Trump. The Continuous Vetting Center, a recent initiative, tracks visa holders post-arrival in the US to ensure compliance with laws and prompt revocation for those posing threats.
According to Pigott, the Continuous Vetting Center’s focus is to swiftly respond to criminal charges or convictions of visa holders, aligning with the administration’s national security strategy. While the statement did not detail the breakdown of revoked visas by country or visa type, the move underscores the administration’s priority on public safety and national security. The visa policy adjustments are part of the broader immigration and security discourse in the US.
