US immigration rules big update: 85,000 visas revoked by Trump administration due to…, over 8,000 student visas to…, State Dept officials say…

The Trump administration has been increasingly tightening US immigration rules ever since the attack on National Guard members jolted the national security apparatus earlier this year. What began as an immediate security response has now evolved into a sweeping overhaul of visa regulations, enforcement protocols, and border-screening standards. The shooting occurred last month near 17th Street NW and I Street NW, close to the Eisenhower Executive Office Building, which houses senior White House staff. An Afghan national, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, was accused of shooting two National Guard soldiers near the White House.

What visas were revoked by the US since January under Trump’s crackdown?

As per the latest updates, since January, the US has revoked 85,000 visas due to increased scrutiny of its immigration laws. According to a post made by the US State Department on X, the cancellation of these visas falls within the framework of the Trump administration’s increased emphasis on Immigration Enforcement and a Secure Border Policy.

Why has the Trump administration decided to cancel so many visas?

“85,000 visa revocations since January. President Trump and Secretary Rubio adhere to one simple mandate, and they won’t stop anytime soon,” reads the post published by the US State Department.

According to a senior official, more than 8,000 of the cancelled visas were held by students, and major crimes such as drunk driving, theft, and assault were among the most significant reasons why more than half of the total visa revocations last year occurred. Offences such as driving under the influence, theft and assault were identified as key reasons, accounting for “almost half of the revocations in the past year,” CNN quoted a senior State Department official as saying.

How does this move fit into the US immigration policy changes under Trump?

It is to be noted that the announcement was accompanied by an image of United States President Doland Trump with the words “Make America Safe Again,” as part of a media campaign that promotes the idea that stricter visa regulations support national security initiatives. Some visas were revoked due to expiry issues, investigations related to support for terrorism and other serious grounds. In October, the administration also cancelled the visas of individuals accused of celebrating the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.

85,000 visa revocations since January.

President Trump and Secretary Rubio adhere to one simple mandate, and they won’t stop anytime soon pic.twitter.com/fbNYw9wj71

— Department of State (@StateDept) December 9, 2025

Students from outside the United States and enrolled in U.S. universities who participated in protests regarding the Israel-Gaza conflict have come under increased scrutiny, as many of these students are now facing investigations and possibly losing their student visa status.

Earlier in August, the department announced a plan to create a continuous monitoring system for over 55 million foreign citizens who are legally present in the United States on a visa as part of an effort to create increased monitoring of foreign citizens during their visit to the US. In addition, the screening process for applicants for H-1B Visas has been made more stringent. These actions represent the administration’s vigorous policy to penalize individuals who violate the terms of their visa and increase the amount of federal control over immigration.

Under President Doland Trump’s second term, the State Department has broadened its criteria for reviewing visa applications and monitoring visa holders. The administration has also increased vetting of H-1B applicants, a key programme for US employers seeking specialised foreign talent. Taken together, the expanded visa revocations, intensified vetting measures and widened scrutiny illustrate the administration’s broader push to tighten immigration controls and respond more forcefully to violations detected among visa holders.

The US continues to tighten its regulations on visas. On December 5, President Doland Trump signed an executive order making H-1B visa regulations stricter. The new H-1B regulations require H-1B visa applicants to make their social media accounts public so that U.S. authorities can view their profiles, posts, and likes.

Any disparaging remarks made by an applicant regarding the United States through social media can be grounds for not issuing that applicant an H-1B visa. All H-4 dependents (spouses, children, and parents) of H-1B applicants will now have to make their social media accounts public.