WASHINGTON — The Trump administration has canceled more than 300,000 U.S. visas since returning to office, according to new figures released Tuesday by the State Department, marking a sharp escalation in the federal government’s hardline immigration policies.
The latest numbers reflect a significant surge in enforcement in recent months. As of early August, the administration had reported over 175,000 visa cancellations since President Donald Trump took office in January 2025.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott posted the updated figure on X, stating that the administration has revoked visas "at a faster pace than any administration in history." Pigott emphasized that the government maintains zero tolerance for foreign visa holders who commit crimes, commit fraud, or threaten national security.
President Trump has defended the widespread cancellations and ongoing deportation push as necessary measures to safeguard domestic security.
However, civil rights organizations and immigrant advocates contend that the aggressive crackdown infringes on due process and free speech rights while encouraging racial profiling against ethnic minority communities. Advocates have particularly criticized the revocation of visas belonging to foreign students and workers participating in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, as well as those targeted over controversial social media posts.
Beyond increased visa cancellations, the administration has implemented stricter social media screening for visa applicants and raised fees on select foreign work visas, tightening the entry path for both legal immigrants and international visitors.
