The United States Department of State has revoked more than 80,000 visas belonging to Nigerians and other foreign nationals as part of a broad immigration enforcement initiative introduced under former President Donald Trump’s administration.
In a statement released on Thursday, the department said the mass revocation was consistent with Trump’s pledge to safeguard U.S. national security and interests — describing the action as “promises made, promises kept.”
According to official data, the revoked visas were linked to various criminal and security-related offenses, including assault, theft, and driving under the influence (DUI). Figures from 2024 reveal that 16,000 visas were withdrawn due to DUI cases, 12,000 for assault, and 8,000 for theft. Other cases involved connections to terrorism, extremist activities, visa violations, and threats to public safety.
A senior State Department official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the three offenses — assault, theft, and DUI — accounted for nearly half of all revocations carried out this year.
The department emphasized that the decision forms part of a broader immigration crackdown that began early in the Trump administration, featuring intensified deportation measures and stricter visa vetting.
The U.S. government also expanded its screening procedures to include detailed assessments of applicants’ social media histories and affiliations.
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“Promises made, promises kept 👏@POTUS and @SecRubio will always put the safety and interests of the American people first,” the State Department wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on November 6, 2025.
In August, the department confirmed that over 6,000 student visas had been revoked for legal violations and overstaying, with a few cases linked to terrorism-related issues.
It also revealed that six individuals lost their visas due to social media posts referencing the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in May that “hundreds – possibly thousands – of visas had been revoked for actions deemed contrary to U.S. foreign policy priorities.” He added that American diplomats had been directed to carefully review applicants for anti-American sentiments or political activities that could threaten U.S. interests.
Officials further cautioned that visa and green card holders risk deportation for expressing support for Palestinians or criticizing Israel during the Gaza conflict, saying such actions could be interpreted as support for Hamas and as inconsistent with U.S. foreign policy.
