The United States government has revoked visas for over 80,000 Nigerians and other foreign nationals, citing threats to public safety and national security.
In a statement released on Thursday, the U.S. Department of State said the revocations fulfilled President Donald Trump’s “promises made, promises kept” campaign pledge to tighten immigration control.
The U.S. government stressed that President Trump’s administration “will always put the safety and interests of the American people first.”
According to the statement, major reasons for the visa cancellations include assault, theft, driving under the influence (DUI), and other criminal offences.
In 2025 alone, the State Department said it revoked 16,000 visas linked to DUI cases, 12,000 for assault, and 8,000 for theft. Thousands of others reportedly lost their visas for terrorism, supporting terrorism, public safety threats, and visa overstays.
Officials said the move is part of an expanded review of visa holders from countries designated as high-risk or with poor compliance records on migration laws. Nigeria was among the countries under close scrutiny due to what U.S. authorities described as “persistent concerns about visa abuse and criminal activity by some foreign nationals.”
The U.S. added that the revocation process was not limited to Nigerians but also affected citizens from several African, Asian, and South American countries.
Security analysts believe the decision could affect students, tourists, and professionals who may face tougher screening or outright denials in future visa applications.
The statement did not name individuals affected but said visa revocations follow strict investigative reviews by multiple U.S. agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Observers say this latest policy reflects the Trump administration’s renewed “America First” immigration stance, which prioritizes domestic safety over diplomatic concerns.
Critics, however, warn that mass visa cancellations could damage U.S.–Africa relations, especially with Nigeria, which remains one of Washington’s largest trade and migration partners in Africa.
As of October 2025, over 400,000 Nigerians were studying, working, or living legally in the United States. The policy could also affect families with members still processing immigration or study applications.
The Nigerian government has not yet issued an official response to the development. But some diplomatic experts are urging Abuja to open talks with Washington to protect law-abiding citizens who may be unfairly affected.
The State Department maintained that visa issuance remains a privilege, not a right, and that revocations are part of its duty to “preserve U.S. security and uphold immigration integrity.”