The United States government has revoked 85,000 visas belonging to foreign nationals, including some Nigerians, since President Donald Trump began his second term in office.
The U.S. Department of State announced the development on Tuesday in a statement shared via its official channels, commending President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio for what it described as “strict adherence” to the administration’s immigration enforcement mandate.
“Eighty-five thousand visa revocations since January,” the statement read, noting that the exercise, which began when President Trump assumed office earlier this year, would continue indefinitely.
The department reiterated that the visa cancellations were part of the administration’s broader policy to tighten immigration controls and ensure national security.
“President Trump and Secretary Rubio adhere to one simple mandate and they won’t stop anytime soon,” the State Department said.
The announcement follows Trump’s pledge upon returning to office to lead what he called the “largest deportation drive” in U.S. history.
According to the latest update, about 5,000 additional visas were revoked in November alone, raising the total number from 80,000 to 85,000.
In a previous statement, the Department of State cited offences such as assault, theft, and driving under the influence (DUI) as key reasons for the visa cancellations.
Other grounds include terrorism-related suspicions, support for extremist groups, overstaying permitted durations, and threats to public safety.
The administration’s immigration stance has drawn both praise and criticism, with supporters arguing that it strengthens national security, while critics warn it could strain diplomatic relations and unfairly target law-abiding immigrants.
