8,000 student visas, 2,500 work permits revoked in Trump deportation drive
Abuja: The United States Government has revoked more than 100,000 visas in the past year of President Donald Trump’s second term, in what officials describe as one of the broadest immigration crackdowns in recent history.
The revocations, announced Monday by the U.S. State Department, include 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialized work permits, underscoring the administration’s aggressive stance on foreign nationals deemed to have violated U.S. laws or policies.
The State Department said the decision targeted individuals with criminal records or legal violations, stressing that protecting American citizens and sovereignty remains the administration’s top priority.
Spokesman Tommy Pigott declared: “We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe.”
Officials noted that thousands of visas were revoked over offences ranging from assault to drunk driving. The campaign, backed by a surge of federal agents, forms part of a wider mass deportation effort.
The Trump administration has also tightened visa vetting procedures, including screening visitors’ social media activity. Figures from the Department of Homeland Security show more than 605,000 people have been deported since Trump’s second term began on January 20, 2025, while 2.5 million others remain undocumented.Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently defended the revocation of visas from students who protested against Israel, arguing that U.S. law permits blocking entry to foreigners perceived as opposing American foreign policy.
