US cancels over 1 lakh visas in a year amid crackdown: How Indians have been affected

Over 1 lakh US visas revoked in a year for overstays and crimes: What it means for Indians

• US revoked over 100,000 visas since Trump returned, a record high crackdown.
• Visa revocations up 150%, mainly for overstays, DUI, assault, and theft.
• Indian nationals and students face rise in deportations and visa terminations.

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The United States has revoked more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to the White House last year, the US State Department said, marking a record high as the administration intensifies its hardline immigration policy.

The scale of the revocations reflects a sweeping crackdown that has also resulted in an unprecedented number of deportations, including individuals who previously held valid visas. The administration has simultaneously tightened visa approvals through expanded screening, social media vetting, and continuous monitoring.

“The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialised visas for individuals who had encounters with US law enforcement for criminal activity. We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe,” the department said in a post on X.

🚨BREAKING: The State Department has now revoked over 100,000 visas, including some 8,000 student visas and 2,500 specialized visas for individuals who had encounters with U.S. law enforcement for criminal activity. We will continue to deport these thugs to keep America safe. pic.twitter.com/wuHVltw1bV

— Department of State (@StateDept) January 12, 2026

Why are visas being revoked? 

State Department deputy spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the four most common reasons for visa cancellations were overstays, driving under the influence (DUI), assault, and theft. The revocations represent a 150% increase compared with 2024, he added.

Among specialised visa holders, including H-1B, L-1B, and O-1 categories, about half of the revocations were linked to drink-driving arrests, while other cases involved assault, theft, child abuse, drug-related offences, fraud, and embezzlement.

According to Fox News, around 40,000 visas were revoked in 2024, with most of the 2025 cancellations involving business and tourist visitors who overstayed their visas.

Continuous vetting and political scrutiny

To enforce compliance, the State Department has launched a new Continuous Vetting Center.

The centre aims to ensure “all foreign nationals on American soil comply with our laws, and that the visas of those who pose a threat to American citizens are swiftly revoked,” Pigott said.

US diplomats have also been directed to apply stricter scrutiny to visa applicants perceived as hostile to Washington, including those with a history of political activism.

Administration officials have warned that student visa holders and even green card holders could face deportation for supporting Palestinians or criticising Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war, describing such actions as a threat to US foreign policy.

Impact on Indians: deportations rise sharply

Indians have been significantly affected by the tightening enforcement.

The United States deported 3,155 Indian nationals in 2025 up to November 21, according to information shared by the Indian government in Parliament. This marks a sharp rise compared to 617 deportations in 2023 and 1,368 in 2024.

Officials said most foreign governments, including the US, do not share detailed nationality data on deportations, limiting precise tracking.

Indian students among those hit

In addition, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) terminated 4,736 SEVIS records, while the State Department revoked over 300 student visas since January 2025, raising concerns among Indian students and education consultants.

Tighter rules, not nationality bans

India avoided inclusion on any US travel-ban lists, but enforcement affecting Indians intensified through screening rather than nationality-based restrictions.

What were the key visa changes? 

Increased scrutiny of H-1B and H-4 visa stamping in India

• Expanded online and social media reviews
• A shift away from a pure lottery system for H-1B visas
• Sharper enforcement against student visa violations
• By August 2025, the State Department said it was reviewing the status of around 55 million foreign nationals holding valid US visas.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio has repeatedly stressed that a US visa is a privilege, not a right, as enforcement under the Trump administration continues to expand.