The United States has dramatically increased its visa revocation efforts, canceling 85,000 visas since the start of the year. This sweeping policy change underscores the administration’s focus on national security and strict adherence to visa regulations. Officials have publicly stated their commitment to this rigorous approach, suggesting it’s a long-term strategy. The reasons for these cancellations are diverse, but a significant portion, over 8,000, were international students facing issues such as driving under the influence, theft, and assault. These offenses represent a substantial percentage of the total revocations. While the State Department has not elaborated on every case, prior justifications for cancellations have included concerns about affiliations with terrorism and other violations of immigration law. Notably, visa holders accused of celebrating violent acts and international students involved in protests have also faced heightened scrutiny. This aggressive stance is supported by a new initiative to implement continuous vetting for all existing visa holders, ensuring ongoing compliance. The criteria for reviewing visa applications, including those for highly skilled professionals, have also been broadened, signaling a comprehensive effort to strengthen immigration enforcement and ensure that all foreign nationals present in the U.S. comply with its laws.
