The United States Department of State has revoked more than 175,000 visas from foreign nationals, the Trump administration announced on Monday.
The action affects those who violated visa terms, committed crimes, defrauded Americans, urged violence against U.S. citizens, abused the immigration system, or endangered national security.
Most of the visas were revoked because of law enforcement encounters, with criminal activity, assault, driving under the influence, theft, and drug crimes being the leading causes.
The government added that a significant share of visas were cancelled after the holders engaged in child abuse, sexual assault, reckless driving, fraud, embezzlement, and other crimes.
The revocations are a result of the continuous vetting operations by the State Department, which reiterated its commitment to protect communities from those who abuse visas.
Several cases were highlighted in a fact sheet by the Department, including that of a foreign national charged with felony rape and sexual battery, especially the abuse of a mentally disabled victim.
Another was arrested for violently resisting arrest, drunk driving, and domestic violence; one was charged with felony kidnapping, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation of a minor.
One other foreign national was charged with over a dozen counts of possessing child sexual abuse material, while another was charged with sodomy of a child and aggravated sexual battery.
A foreigner who was teaching young students was arrested for sexually assaulting one; another was arrested for driving with heroin and a blood alcohol level over 3x the legal limit.
A foreigner was involved in a massive Medicaid scam, billing for over $5 million of fake services.
The U.S. also sanctioned multiple foreigners for celebrating Charlie Kirk’s assassination.
