Four main reasons US visas have been revoked as Trump administration cancels 100,000 in less than a year

The US government has canceled 100,000 visas since Donald Trump returned to office last January, the Department of State says.

During his election campaign, Trump told supporters he would 'launch the largest deportation program in American history' to get the 'criminals out' on 'day one' of his presidency.

The Republican said he planned to target migrants living in the US without legal permission, affecting an estimated 11 million people.

Trump declared: "I will rescue every city and town that has been invaded and conquered, and we will put these vicious and bloodthirsty criminals in jail, then kick them the hell out of our country as fast as possible."

Almost a year to his January 20 inauguration, the government confirmed a visa cancelation milestone had been hit.

In a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter, the administration said on Monday (January 12): "The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialized visas for individuals who had encounters with US law enforcement for criminal activity."

"We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe," they added.

While the government says most revocations were linked to run-ins with law enforcement, it’s unclear how many led to formal charges.

Cancelations are up 150 percent compared to 2024, when former president Joe Biden was in power.

State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott revealed the four leading reasons for people's visas being revoked, as per Al Jazeera.

These included overstaying the visa allowance, driving under the influence, assault and theft.

However, visa-holders who have expressed views the government appeared to deem controversial were also targeted last year.

🚨BREAKING: The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialized visas for individuals who had encounters with U.S. law enforcement for criminal activity.

We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe. pic.twitter.com/wuHVltw1bV

— Department of State (@StateDept) January 12, 2026

In March, students involved in pro-Palestinian activism were stripped of their visas, including Rumeysa Ozturk of Tufts University, Massachusetts, who is thought to have been earmarked for co-writing an editorial for the campus newspaper.

Six foreign nationals had their visas revoked for 'celebrating' the death of political activist Charlie Kirk online back in October.

“The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans,” the State Department wrote in a statement.

Elsewhere, Pigott added the department also launched a 'continuous vetting center' which ensures 'all foreign nationals on American soil comply with our laws – and that the visas of those who pose a threat to American citizens are swiftly revoked.'

The government has also tightened rules for new visas, including stricter social media checks and broader background screening.

The milestone number of visa cancelations comes amid heightened ICE activity across the country.

On January 7, 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot by Jonathan Ross, an ICE agent part of ongoing raids in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Good was behind the wheel of her car at the time of the incident and after she was shot her car veered into two parked vehicles.

Her death has since sparked global outrage as people have questioned the use of lethal force.