US Has Revoked 85K Visas Citing Public-Safety Concerns

WASHINGTON, DC- The United States has revoked 85,000 visas across multiple categories this year, a senior State Department official said, describing the action as part of an intensified effort to protect American communities and enforce public-safety standards. This revocation figure is more than double the numbers from the previous year.

A State Department official stressed that these are individuals who pose a direct threat to the safety of American communities and are not wanted in the country.

The official stated that the administration’s visa-vetting posture remains stringent, particularly for applicants from high-risk environments.

The official was also asked whether participating in fact-checking including work for social-media or civil-society organizations could be grounds for a visa denial under the Trump administration’s recently established policies. “Freedom of speech is a fundamental American value, and the Trump Administration is defending Americans from foreigners who wish to censor them,” the official said.

The United States has historically adjusted visa and immigration policies in response to shifts in global security conditions, including after major geopolitical events or changes in administration. Visa revocations for criminal conduct are not uncommon, but large-scale actions such as the 85,000-figure cited this year is unusual. (IANS)