US visa revocations exceed 300,000 under expanded enforcement

November 3, 2026

US Revokes Over 300,000 Visas in Rapid Enforcement Drive

The United States has revoked more than 300,000 visas since January 2025, marking a sharp acceleration in federal immigration enforcement. Foreign students, travelers, and individuals linked to birth tourism face heightened scrutiny under the sweeping cancellations.

White House Report Details Record Pace of Cancellations

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The total surpassed previous tallies reported by the US Department of State, which stood at more than 175,000 cancellations by August 10. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the administration had revoked more visas, and at a faster pace, than any previous administration, adding that the actions targeted individuals who broke the law, committed fraud, or posed national security threats.

While the White House published the updated figure in an October 20, 2026 immigration enforcement report, federal officials have not released a complete breakdown of the cancellations by nationality or visa category. Authorities noted that a visa revocation does not automatically mean immediate deportation, and the updates do not constitute a blanket cancellation of Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) approvals or new entry requirements for general international travelers.

Specific subcategories released by Washington detail targeted subsets of the total. The administration confirmed that 6,000 student visas have been revoked from foreign nationals accused of committing crimes or maintaining ties to terrorism. Additionally, the Birth Tourism Prevention Task Force, established in August 2026, has revoked more than 700 visas held by Chinese nationals, while at least 4,000 cancellations are linked generally to birth tourism practices, where individuals travel to the United States primarily to secure citizenship for their children at birth. Another 23,000 cancellations were processed through the agency vetting centre.

The current enforcement drive builds on heightened restrictions implemented during President Donald Trump‘s second term, which has featured stricter screening procedures across diplomatic posts and domestic immigration offices.