‘A Privilege, Not A Right’: Trump Admin Doubles Visa Revocations Rate From Biden Era

The State Department said Thursday that it had revoked the visas of over 80,000 people for reasons ranging from drunk driving to support for terrorism.

The announcement put the pace of visa revocation at more than double the total last year, the Trump administration said.

“Promises made, promises kept. [President Donald Trump] and [Secretary of State Marco Rubio] will always put the safety and interests of the American people first,” the State Department wrote on X.

Promises made, promises kept ????@POTUS and @SecRubio will always put the safety and interests of the American people first. pic.twitter.com/Wy8G06WVkv

— Department of State (@StateDept) November 6, 2025

Around 16,000 had their visas revoked for driving under the influence, 12,000 for assault incidents, and 8,000 for theft. Other reasons cited for the revocations include supporting terrorism, visa overstay, or being an “actual terrorist.”

The Washington Examiner first reported on the visa revocation. State Department principal deputy spokesman Tommy Pigott told the outlet that the Trump administration “will not hesitate to revoke visas from foreigners who undermine our laws or threaten our national security.”

“Our message is clear: Entry to America is a privilege, not a right, and we will always put the safety and interests of the American people first,” he added.

In September, the State Department revoked the visas of foreign nationals who made celebratory remarks about the assassination of Charlie Kirk. Individuals from Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, and Paraguay all lost their status over remarks on Kirk’s killing.

In one instance, an Argentine national said that Kirk “devoted his entire life spreading racist, xenophobic, misogynistic rhetoric” and deserved to burn in hell.

“The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans. The State Department continues to identify visa holders who celebrated the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk,” a State Department official said at the time.

In May, Rubio was directed by Trump to start aggressively revoking the visas of Chinese students with close ties to the Chinese Communist Party or studying in “critical fields.” Rubio said the department would be increasing scrutiny for approving future applications from China and Hong Kong.