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ADNews-Washinton, D.C., USA: The United States Department of State has revoked more than 175,000 visas from foreign nationals under the administration of President Donald Trump, citing violations of visa conditions, criminal activities, calls for violence against Americans, fraud, abuse of the U.S. immigration system, and national security concerns.
According to the State Department, the majority of the visa revocations followed law enforcement encounters involving various forms of criminal activity.
The Department said the leading causes included assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug-related offenses. Other cases involved reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud, embezzlement and other criminal activities.
The State Department said the visa cancellations are part of its continuing vetting and screening operations designed to ensure that foreign nationals who receive U.S. visas comply with the terms of their admission and do not pose a threat to American communities.
Visa Revocations Linked to Criminal Activities
The Department provided several examples of foreign nationals whose visas were revoked following criminal allegations, arrests or other conduct considered contrary to U.S. interests.
Among the cases cited was a foreign national charged with felony rape and sexual battery, including an alleged offense involving a mentally disabled victim.
Another foreign national was charged with felony kidnapping, human trafficking and the sexual exploitation of a minor.
The Department also cited a foreign national arrested on allegations involving disorderly conduct, resisting arrest with violence, driving under the influence and domestic violence.
In another case, a U.S. Embassy in North Africa reportedly revoked more than 100 visas belonging to parents identified as “birth tourists”—foreign nationals who allegedly traveled to the United States primarily to give birth in order for their children to obtain U.S. citizenship.
Other cases included a foreign national charged with sodomy of a child and aggravated sexual battery, as well as another accused of possessing more than a dozen instances of child sexual abuse material.
The State Department also cited a foreign national who was arrested while allegedly driving with heroin in his possession and a blood alcohol level more than three times the legal limit.
Visa Actions Over Threats and Fraud
The Department said it had also revoked visas belonging to multiple foreign nationals who publicly celebrated the assassination of Charlie Kirk.
The statement cited social media comments allegedly made by some of those individuals, including remarks expressing approval of the killing.
The State Department further cited cases involving alleged financial fraud.
One foreign national accused of operating a legitimate business that helped vulnerable patients access healthcare was allegedly involved in a large Medicaid fraud scheme involving more than US$5 million in fraudulent billing.
Another foreign national was accused of building a company through false financial claims, misleading investors and defrauding clients of millions of dollars. The Department said the individual allegedly used false claims and forged letters to fraudulently obtain a U.S. visa.
In another case, a foreign national who traveled to the United States to teach young students was later arrested on allegations of sexually assaulting one of the students.
Deportability Determinations
The State Department also disclosed that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has determined that numerous foreign nationals are deportable on foreign policy grounds.
The cases cited include a Cuban national allegedly connected to an influence operation associated with the Cuban communist regime; Iranian nationals with alleged connections to the Iranian regime; a Laotian child sex offender who was pardoned by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz; and a Kuwaiti national accused of expressing a desire for violence against the U.S. President and referring to Americans as his “enemy.”
The Department said the actions demonstrate the Trump administration’s continued focus on immigration enforcement, national security and public safety.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership, the State Department will continue to identify, investigate, and revoke the visas of foreign nationals who threaten the safety of the American people,” the Department said.
The State Department emphasized that a U.S. visa is a privilege rather than a right, adding that it will continue using available legal and administrative measures to protect American communities from individuals who abuse the U.S. immigration system or pose security threats.
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