The US State Department has announced the cancellation of 85,000 visas starting January 2025, following stricter immigration rules and border security.

The State Department announced the move on social media, stressing the Trump administration's continued commitment to stricter immigration oversight. The announcement was accompanied by a photo of President Donald Trump with the words "Make America Safe Again," reinforcing the administration's argument that stricter visa regulations are a centerpiece of its national security efforts. A senior State Department official has revealed that more than 8,000 visas have been canceled, underscoring the tightening of the visa system. CNN reported that the department identified the reasons for most of the visa cancellations last year as violations such as unsafe driving, theft and assault. The department's past explanations have cited reasons such as visa expiration and "support for terrorism" as reasons for the cancellations. International students who participated in protests related to the Gaza conflict have also come under similar scrutiny. The move is in line with a plan the department outlined last August to implement a “continuous vetting” system for the more than 55 million foreigners with valid U.S. visas and monitor those in the country. During President Donald Trump’s second term, the State Department has expanded its standards for reviewing visa applications and monitoring visa holders.