State Department says it has revoked more than 250,000 visas since Trump took office

The State Department said in a post on X on Sept. 30 that it has revoked more than 250,000 visas, calling the total "a historic milestone" that reflects its commitment to protecting Americans. [1]

Fox News Digital first reported the figure in an exclusive. A State Department official told the outlet the revocations have taken place since President Donald Trump took office. [3]

According to the official, the revocations covered visa holders who violated visa terms, committed crimes, called for violence against the United States or Americans, defrauded Americans, abused the immigration system or endangered national security. [3]

Fox News reported that 2,300 of the revoked visas were connected to birth tourism, which it described as pregnant foreign nationals traveling to the U.S. so their child receives citizenship at birth. [3]

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said that "Every visa decision is a national security decision." Pigott also said: "A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right — and if you violate the terms of that privilege, you will lose it." [3]

Fox News reported that on Monday the department revoked the visas of 27 Latin American officials, former officials and their families over corruption accusations. They are from Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. [3]

Fox News also reported that in August the department revoked more than 175,000 visas, mostly after law enforcement encounters. It said assault, drunk driving, theft and drug crimes were the leading causes. Over the summer, the administration began preparing to revoke business and tourist visas held by as many as 200,000 people who later sought asylum, according to the same report. [3]