The Trump administration has intensified its scrutiny of individuals entering the United States, leading to an unprecedented revocation of 85,000 visas by the State Department. This surge in visa cancellations marks a significant increase in the government’s efforts to enhance national security.

Among the visas revoked, over 8,000 belonged to students, a figure that more than doubles the previous year’s count, according to a State Department spokesperson in a statement to Fox News. These actions reflect a growing concern over the potential risks associated with certain foreign nationals.

The primary reasons for these revocations include offenses such as driving under the influence, assaults, and theft. These categories alone constitute nearly half of the visa cancellations over the past year, emphasizing the administration’s focus on minimizing threats to public safety.

A State Department official emphasized the importance of these measures, stating, “These are individuals who pose a direct threat to our communities’ safety, and we do not want to have them in our country.” This rigorous approach highlights the administration’s commitment to maintaining the security and well-being of the nation.

“These are people who pose a direct threat to our communities’ safety, and we do not want to have them in our country,” the official said. 

The Trump administration has heightened scrutiny of certain visa applicants in recent weeks.

It reportedly ordered U.S. consular officers to apply heightened scrutiny to H-1B visa applicants and reject anyone found to have participated in “censorship or attempted censorship” of protected speech in the United States.

Trump admin says foreign student visa vetting will be continued process not a one-time check. (iStock)

In addition, the administration announced last week that it will be pausing immigration from 19 countries that were already under partial or full travel restrictions.

Last week, the State Department announced a new visa-restriction policy in response to a wave of brutal anti-Christian attacks in Nigeria, targeting those accused of orchestrating religious violence against Christians in the West African nation and around the world.

Marco Rubio with passports in view; the State Department has introduced updated vetting procedures for visa applicants.  (Andrew Harnik/Getty Images/istock)

The agency has also revoked visas and imposed travel restrictions on six Mexican executives who worked at an air travel company, along with their immediate family members.

U.S. officials said the group collaborated with smuggling networks to coordinate transportation and provide fraudulent travel documents for migrants — including minors — from the Caribbean and other regions, routing them through Central America before many attempted to reach the United States.