Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the State Department has revoked more than 100,000 visas, including approximately 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialized visas, citing concerns related to criminal activity and national security.
In public remarks, Rubio said the visa revocations were carried out under existing legal authority and framed the action as a matter of obligation rather than discretion. “The law gives us the right—and I would argue the obligation—to remove people like that from our country,” Rubio said, adding that the effort will continue.
Rubio emphasized that visa policy should align with U.S. national interests, arguing that the decision of who is allowed to enter or remain in the country must reflect public safety and security priorities. He stated that this principle has guided the administration’s approach from the outset.
According to Rubio, some of the revoked visas involved individuals already in the United States who were allegedly engaging in activities deemed contrary to national interests. He noted that visa status does not guarantee the right to remain in the country if conditions are violated.
The announcement follows earlier statements made by Rubio in recent weeks regarding increased scrutiny of visa holders. The State Department has not yet released a detailed breakdown of the specific criteria or cases involved in the revocations.
No additional information has been provided regarding the timeline of the revocations or whether affected individuals will have access to appeals or legal review.