By Anamati Inyang | November 8, 2025
The United States Department of State has revoked the visas of more than 80,000 individuals, including Nigerians and other foreign nationals, as part of a sweeping immigration enforcement initiative under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
In a statement released on Thursday, the department said the move aligns with Trump’s commitment to safeguarding U.S. national interests and security — a policy described as “promises made, promises kept.”
According to official data, the visa revocations were linked to various offenses such as assault, theft, and driving under the influence (DUI). Reports show that in 2024 alone, about 16,000 individuals lost their visas due to DUI-related offenses, 12,000 for assault, and 8,000 for theft. Other reasons included connections to terrorism, extremist activity, public safety risks, and visa condition violations.
A senior State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, revealed that the three key offenses — assault, theft, and DUI — accounted for nearly half of all revocations this year.
The policy is part of a broader immigration crackdown launched during Trump’s tenure, which saw tighter visa screening procedures, increased deportations, and enhanced vetting processes — including the review of applicants’ social media histories and affiliations.
In August, the State Department confirmed that more than 6,000 student visas had been revoked due to legal violations and overstays, with a few linked to terrorism-related activities. Additionally, at least six individuals reportedly lost their visas over social media posts concerning the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio noted in May that hundreds — possibly thousands — of visas had also been withdrawn for actions deemed contrary to U.S. foreign policy priorities. He further stated that American diplomats worldwide had been instructed to thoroughly scrutinize visa applicants for potential anti-American sentiments or political activism that might threaten U.S. interests.
Officials also cautioned that visa and green card holders could face deportation for publicly supporting Palestinians or criticizing Israel amid the Gaza conflict — actions they described as inconsistent with U.S. foreign policy and potentially indicative of support for Hamas.
This large-scale revocation marks one of the most extensive enforcement actions by the U.S. State Department in recent years, underscoring the administration’s firm stance on immigration control and national security.
