The United States has revoked over 175,000 visas during Trump’s presidency

According to the State Department, much of the revocations were related to incidents with law enforcement for crimes like assaults, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, thefts, and drug-related offenses.

The U.S. State Department reported that it has revoked more than 175,000 visas for foreign citizens during Donald Trump’s presidency, as a result of a verification process that, according to authorities, aims to identify people who violate the terms of their visas or pose a risk to the country’s security.

“Under President Trump, the U.S. State Department has revoked more than 175,000 visas for foreign citizens,” the agency stated in a post released this Monday.

According to the State Department, much of the revocations were related to incidents with law enforcement involving crimes such as assault, driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs, theft, and drug-related offenses.

The institution indicated that visas were also withdrawn in cases related to reckless driving, sexual assault, child abuse, fraud, and embezzlement.

U.S. authorities attributed the increase in revocations to their ongoing verification operations, through which they check if holders comply with the conditions under which they were authorized to enter the country.

Crimes, fraud, and national security

Among the cases highlighted by the State Department are foreign citizens accused of sexual crimes, kidnapping, human trafficking, child exploitation, domestic violence, and possession of child sexual abuse material.

The statement also notes that a U.S. embassy in North Africa revoked over 100 visas from parents who, according to authorities, were traveling to the United States so their children could be born in the country and acquire U.S. citizenship.

The agency also included cases of alleged financial and immigration fraud, including a Medicaid scam of more than five million dollars and obtaining a visa fraudulently using falsified documents.

The State Department also noted that Secretary of State Marco Rubio has determined that several foreign citizens are deportable for foreign policy reasons, and mentioned cases related to Cuba, Iran, Laos, and Kuwait.

“A U.S. visa is a privilege, not a right,” the State Department said.

The agency assured that it will continue identifying, investigating, and revoking visas of foreigners who, in the opinion of U.S. authorities, threaten the country’s security or abuse the conditions under which they were allowed to enter the United States.