The U.S. State Department has revoked around 85,000 visas over the past year, impacting foreign nationals, including a significant number of international students.
Officials say the increase in visa cancellations is linked to public safety concerns, though immigrant-rights groups warn that the broader criteria may unfairly target individuals who do not pose real threats.

A State Department spokesperson confirmed that over 8,000 international students were affected—more than double the number from the previous year.

While some revocations involved criminal allegations, such as DUI, assault, or theft, officials noted that stricter vetting procedures and a more proactive approach to security risks also contributed to the rise.
“These are individuals we believe present a direct risk to community safety,” the official stated, adding that consular officers have been directed to adopt a wider interpretation of conduct relevant to visa eligibility.

The expanded review now covers multiple visa categories. Recently, consular posts have been instructed to implement additional screening for H-1B visa applicants, a programme commonly used by tech companies and specialised employers seeking international talent.

Internal guidance reported by U.S. media indicates that consular officers have been told to deny visas to applicants suspected of engaging in activities that restrict or suppress protected speech in the U.S.—a measure that immigration experts describe as unusually broad and difficult to evaluate.