The United States has revoked 8,000 student visas so far in 2025 as part of a sweeping immigration clampdown under President Donald Trump’s second term, according to a report by PIE News.
The cancellations form a significant share of the 80,000 total non-immigrant visa revocations this year, an unprecedented figure that far exceeds 2024 levels.
Officials said the spike reflects intensified enforcement across multiple visa categories, with student visa holders facing heightened scrutiny.
Assault, theft, and driving under the influence were cited as the top reasons for termination, collectively accounting for nearly half of all cases.
A State Department spokesperson emphasised that visas are subject to revocation whenever indicators of ineligibility arise, including criminal activity, overstays, public safety concerns, or ties to terrorism.
The crackdown has unfolded alongside a broader federal push to police international student activity, including recent arrests tied to pro-Palestinian demonstrations on U.S. campuses.
While rights groups have warned that the measures risk chilling free expression, the administration has defended its actions as necessary for national security.
In a social media post, the State Department declared “promises made, promises kept,” stressing that Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio remain committed to prioritising American safety.
Data released by the Department shows that approximately 16,000 visa cancellations were linked to DUIs, 12,000 to assault charges, and about 8,000 to theft-related offences. Officials reiterated that visa status can be revoked at any time and at the department’s discretion.
The enforcement push coincides with newly tightened social media vetting rules. A directive issued last week mandates that all H-1B applicants and their H-4 dependents maintain fully public social media profiles starting December 15.
This level of monitoring, once limited to students and exchange visitors, now extends across several visa categories, including F, M, and J.
The State Department says the expanded digital screening will enhance background checks and strengthen overall vetting procedures, marking another significant escalation in the administration’s immigration oversight strategy.