Trump administration cancels more than 175,000 visas under hardline immigration push

The Trump administration has canceled more than 175,000 foreign visas as part of its hardline immigration policy, targeting not only those with criminal records but also birth tourists and foreigners who made statements inciting or endorsing political violence against the president.

The Department of State said Monday that since the administration took office, it has revoked more than 175,000 visas on grounds including criminal activity, national security concerns and foreign policy considerations.

"The majority of canceled visas are linked to crimes such as assault, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, and theft," the department said, adding that cases involving reckless driving, sex crimes, child abuse, fraud and embezzlement were also included.

Among the disclosed cases, US diplomatic missions in North Africa canceled more than 100 visas for individuals seeking to enter the country for birth tourism — traveling to the United States so their children would acquire US citizenship at birth.

The Trump administration has stepped up its crackdown on birth tourism after the Supreme Court partially blocked its restrictions on birthright citizenship, issuing an executive order expanding enforcement to prevent citizenship from being obtained through birth tourism.

Cases involving political violence were also among the grounds for visa revocation.

The State Department said it canceled the visa of a foreigner who, following the assassination of conservative political activist Charlie Kirk, remarked that he "died too late." It also said it ordered the deportation of a Kuwaiti national on foreign policy grounds after the individual incited violence against the US president and characterized Americans as enemies.

Others targeted for deportation included Iranian and Cuban nationals whose ties to their home governments raised concerns, as well as a Laotian national convicted of child sex crimes who had been pardoned by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

Since taking office, the Trump administration has sharply tightened enforcement against undocumented immigrants and expanded scrutiny of visa holders. It has also broadened visa screening criteria, moving aggressively to revoke visas not only for those with criminal records but also for foreigners deemed a threat to national security, public order or US foreign policy interests.