Elochukwu Benjamin
Awka
The United States Department of State on Monday, announced the revocation of more than 175,000 visas issued to foreign nationals accused of violating visa conditions, committing crimes, defrauding Americans, abusing the immigration system or posing threats to national security.
The US Department disclosed this in a fact sheet issued by the Office of the Spokesperson, saying the visa revocations followed its continuous vetting of foreign nationals in the country.
According to the statement, the majority of the revoked visas were linked to encounters with law enforcement over various criminal activities, with assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug-related offences identified as the leading causes.
It added that a significant number of visas were also revoked over reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud, embezzlement and other criminal activities.
The department said it had also revoked visas belonging to foreign nationals accused of endorsing violence against Americans, engaging in fraudulent schemes and participating in illegal birth tourism.
Among the cases highlighted were foreign nationals charged with rape and sexual battery, kidnapping, human trafficking, sexual exploitation of minors, child sexual abuse and domestic violence.
The department also disclosed that a US embassy in North Africa revoked more than 100 visas belonging to so-called “birth tourists” who allegedly travelled to the United States primarily to give birth in order for their children to obtain US citizenship.
Other cases involved a foreign national arrested while driving with heroin and a blood alcohol level reportedly more than three times the legal limit, as well as individuals accused of celebrating the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The State Department further cited cases involving alleged Medicaid fraud and investment scams, including a foreign national accused of helping orchestrate a scheme involving more than $5 million in fraudulent healthcare billings.
Another foreign national was accused of fabricating business revenue, deceiving investors and using false claims and forged letters to fraudulently obtain a US visa.
The department said Secretary of State Marco Rubio had also determined that several foreign nationals were deportable on foreign policy grounds.
Those cases, it said, included a Cuban national allegedly linked to an influence operation connected to the Cuban communist regime, Iranian nationals with alleged connections to the Iranian regime, a Laotian child sex offender who had been pardoned by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and a Kuwaiti national accused of expressing a desire for violence against US President Donald Trump.
The department said the latest actions reflected the Trump administration’s position that a US visa was a privilege rather than a right.
It said the State Department would continue to identify, investigate and revoke the visas of foreign nationals considered threats to the safety and security of Americans.
“Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership,” the department said, it would continue using available measures to protect American communities from individuals who abuse the US immigration system or otherwise threaten public safety.
