Kathmandu— The US State Department has revoked more than 175,000 visas held by foreign nationals during the presidency of Donald Trump, continuing a broad crackdown on immigration that has resulted in the stripping of travel privileges from tens of thousands. The revocations were primarily triggered by encounters with law enforcement related to criminal activity, alongside visa violations, fraud, calls for violence, and perceived threats to national security, according to a fact sheet released Monday. This represents an increase from the over 100,000 visas revoked as of January, and reflects a broader effort to deport migrants – even those with valid visas – and tighten immigration policies.

Reasons for Visa Revocations

The State Department cited a range of offenses leading to visa cancellations, including assault, driving under the influence, theft, and drug-related crimes. Specific examples included individuals charged with felony rape and sexual battery, kidnapping and human trafficking, and possession of child sexual abuse material. The department also highlighted cases involving alleged “birth tourists” – over 100 visas were revoked from parents who allegedly traveled to the US primarily to obtain citizenship for their children.

National Security Concerns

Beyond criminal activity, visa revocations were also linked to expressions of support for violence and perceived threats to national security. The department specifically mentioned instances where individuals celebrated the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, with one person stating “when fascists die, democrats don’t complain” and another saying he “died too late.” These cases underscore the administration's focus on identifying and investigating foreign nationals believed to pose a risk to US safety.

Policy Shifts and Increased Scrutiny

The State Department emphasized that a US visa is considered a privilege, not a right, and asserted its authority to revoke visas from those who abuse that privilege. The administration has also implemented stricter policies for granting visas, including enhanced social media vetting and expanded screening processes. These measures have drawn criticism from rights advocates and human rights experts, who argue they threaten free speech and amount to surveillance of immigrants.

The State Department indicated the Trump administration will continue its efforts to identify and investigate foreign nationals deemed a threat to US safety or national security, signaling no immediate change in course for immigration enforcement.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.