US revokes 80,000 visas of Nigerians, other foreign nationals

By Emmanuel Okogba

The United States Department of State has revoked the visas of more than 80,000 individuals, including Nigerians and other foreign nationals, as part of a sweeping immigration enforcement initiative under former President Donald Trump’s administration.

In a statement released on Thursday, the department said the action was in line with Trump’s commitment to protecting U.S. national interests and security – a move it described as “promises made, promises kept.”

According to the department, the revocations were based on various offenses, including assault, theft, and driving under the influence (DUI). Data from 2024 shows that 16,000 individuals lost their visas due to DUI-related offenses, 12,000 for assault, and 8,000 for theft. Additional reasons included links to terrorism, extremist activity, public safety risks, and violations of visa conditions.

A senior State Department official, speaking anonymously, said that the three offenses – assault, theft, and DUI – accounted for nearly half of all revocations this year.

The policy forms part of a broader immigration crackdown initiated at the start of the Trump administration, which saw increased deportations and tighter visa screening measures. The government also expanded its vetting process to include extensive reviews of applicants’ social media histories and affiliations.

In August, the State Department confirmed that more than 6,000 student visas were revoked over legal violations and overstays, with a small number linked to terrorism-related activities. The department also said it had revoked the visas of at least six individuals for social media posts concerning the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated in May that hundreds – possibly thousands – of visas had been revoked for actions deemed contrary to U.S. foreign policy priorities. He added that the administration had instructed diplomats abroad to scrutinize applicants for potential anti-American sentiment or political activism that could threaten U.S. interests.

Officials further warned that visa and green card holders could face deportation over expressions of support for Palestinians or criticism of Israel amid the Gaza conflict, arguing that such stances were inconsistent with U.S. foreign policy and could be interpreted as support for Hamas.

The large-scale visa revocations mark one of the most extensive enforcement actions undertaken by the U.S. State Department in recent years, underscoring the administration’s aggressive approach to immigration and national security.

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