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The United States has cancelled more than 300,000 visas since January 2025, the State Department said in a statement on October 20, according to AnewZ. The latest figures point to a decline in net migration to the country and increased restrictions on legal entry.
Earlier figures released in August said more than 175,000 visas had been cancelled between Donald Trump’s return to office in January 2025 and August 10, 2026. The new figures indicate that the administration has accelerated its use of visa cancellations. The policy applies not only to undocumented border crossings but also to foreign students, workers and other visa holders.
Visa cancellations and migration policy
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said on social media platform X that the administration was cancelling visas faster than previous U.S. governments. He said it was pursuing a policy of “zero tolerance” toward foreign visa holders who break the law, commit fraud or pose a national security threat.
President Donald Trump considers strict immigration controls necessary to protect national security. The administration has also expanded screening of people seeking to enter or remain in the United States legally. Measures include closer scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity and higher fees for some work visas.
The policy has drawn criticism from civil rights organizations. They say immigration enforcement raises questions about due process, freedom of expression and discrimination.
Controversial cases include visa actions involving foreign nationals who took part in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, as well as cases involving people whose social media comments were reviewed after the killing of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk. Rights advocates say political views should not lead to immigration penalties. The administration says it is acting within its authority to protect national security and enforce immigration rules.
Net international migration falls 53.8%
According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s population estimates for 2025, net international migration was about 2.73 million in the year ending June 2024. It fell to 1.26 million in the year ending June 2025, a decline of 53.8%.
Net migration had risen in previous years, reaching about 376,000 in 2021, 1.67 million in 2022 and 2.26 million in 2023. The Census Bureau calculates net international migration by subtracting the number of people leaving the country from the number arriving from abroad.
The estimates cover broader population groups, not just visa holders. The 2025 figure covers the period from July 2024 to June 2025 and includes months before Trump returned to office. The bureau said the decline reflected both fewer people arriving in the country and more people leaving.
The agency projected that, if current trends continue, net international migration would be about 321,000 in the year ending June 2026. These figures reflect overall migration trends and cannot be attributed solely to visa cancellations.
Illegal immigration and border security were major themes in Trump’s 2024 election campaign. After taking office, his administration introduced measures that also affect people seeking legal entry. Visa cancellations are part of that policy.
A cancelled visa does not necessarily mean its former holder has been deported. A visa generally allows a person to travel to a U.S. port of entry and apply to be admitted to the country. A person’s immigration status and right to remain in the country are separate legal matters.
This distinction should be kept in mind when comparing the State Department’s visa cancellation figures with migration and deportation statistics. The administration’s figures show the number of visas cancelled, not the number of people removed from the country or who later left.
