The U.S. government under President Donald Trump has revoked over 80,000 visas, including thousands belonging to Nigerians, as part of new immigration enforcement measures.
According to the U.S. Department of State, the number is more than double last year’s figure and includes over 8,000 student visas. The main reasons cited for the cancellations were assault, theft, and driving under the influence (DUI), which accounted for nearly half of the total. Other cases involved terrorism links, public safety concerns, and visa overstays.
In total, the U.S. revoked about 16,000 visas for DUIs, 12,000 for assault, and 8,000 for theft. The State Department said on X that Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio remain committed to prioritising the safety of Americans.
Since returning to office, Trump’s administration has intensified efforts to deport millions of undocumented migrants and tightened visa scrutiny. Officials have also warned that students and green card holders could lose their status for expressing pro-Palestinian views or criticising Israel, calling such actions a national security concern.
Additionally, the U.S. introduced new rules that allow officers to deny visas to applicants with chronic health issues like diabetes, obesity, heart disease, or mental illness, citing potential strain on public healthcare. Consular officers now have wider powers to reject applications based on possible future medical costs and must assess whether applicants and their families can afford treatment without government aid.
