The US State Department has confirmed that more than 95,000 visas have been revoked so far in 2025, marking a sharp escalation in immigration enforcement
under President Donald Trump’s second administration, said a report by The Financial Expres. The surge in revocations is being driven by policies overseen by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has repeatedly stressed that a US visa is “a privilege, not a right.” The department confirmed the figures to Fox News on Friday (US time), noting a steep rise from the 85,000 revocations reported earlier this month. Officials say the scale and pace of visa cancellations are intended to act as a deterrent for foreign nationals seeking to enter or remain in the US amid tougher screening standards. International Students Among the Worst Affected According to a previous Fox News Digital report, thousands of revoked visas belong to international students. More than 8,000 student visas have reportedly been cancelled this year, raising concerns across US universities and among foreign students already enrolled or planning to begin studies. Education experts warn that the uncertainty is disrupting academic plans, admissions cycles, and research programs, particularly at institutions that depend heavily on international enrolments. H-1B Workers Face Sharp Policy Shifts Non-immigrant workers and foreign students have been especially impacted since Trump returned to office in January 2025. The administration has taken an aggressive stance on the H-1B visa programme, which is widely used by US technology and multinational firms. In a September proclamation, Trump announced an additional $100,000 fee on new H-1B petitions, a move that has sent shockwaves through Silicon Valley. Major employers such as Google, Amazon, Apple, Meta, and Walmart, which rely heavily on skilled foreign talent, have warned of higher costs and hiring disruptions. ‘Project Firewall’ and Broader Crackdown The administration also rolled out “Project Firewall,” an initiative aimed at curbing what it describes as H-1B fraud, scams, and abuse. Officials argue the programme has displaced American workers in favour of lower-cost foreign labour, a claim disputed by industry groups. Trump’s immigration stance has further hardened following recent violent incidents in the US. The president has issued sweeping statements targeting immigration from what he termed “third world countries,” expanded a travel ban to 20 additional nations, and blocked certain immigration pathways, including for Afghan nationals. Diversity Visa Programme in the Crosshairs In a significant policy move, Trump has also directed that the Diversity Visa Programme (Green Card lottery) be scrapped. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the decision on social media, citing security concerns after it emerged that suspects in recent high-profile shootings entered the US through the lottery system. Bigger Impact Ahead With visa revocations accelerating and new restrictions under consideration, immigration experts warn that students, skilled workers, and employers may face prolonged uncertainty in 2026. The sweeping measures signal a fundamental reshaping of US immigration policy, with far-reaching consequences for global mobility and talent flows.
