On Monday, January 12, 2026, the U.S. State Department announced that it has revoked over 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump took office nearly a year ago, marking a dramatic increase from 40,000 in 2024. 🚨✈️
The majority of these cancellations were for business and tourist travelers who overstayed their visas, the department said. But about 8,000 students and 2,500 specialized workers also lost their legal status after criminal encounters with law enforcement.
In early 2025, the administration ramped up scrutiny of student visas. New social media screening rules were introduced for returning students suspected of participating in protests against Israel's actions in Gaza. By late May 2025, U.S. embassies and consulates worldwide paused scheduling new interviews for student visa applicants. A month later, consular officers were instructed to review the online presence of all foreign student visa seekers.
Beyond student visas, in August 2025 the department announced it would review records of over 55 million U.S. visa holders for deportable violations, part of a broader immigration enforcement push.
For young travelers and international students eyeing the U.S., these developments mean planning and staying informed is key. Keep your passport, documents, and online profiles up to date to avoid surprises. 🛂📲
With input from Xinhua
Reference(s):
U.S. State Department revokes over 100,000 visas in nearly a year
cgtn.com
