Delhi(The COW News Digital)The United States has cancelled 85,000 visas since January, in what officials describe as one of the strictest immigration enforcement drives in recent years. The State Department confirmed that the cancellations were carried out under new security-focused immigration rules implemented by the Trump administration.
According to the announcement, the majority of the revoked visas involved individuals linked to criminal offenses, including assault, theft and reckless driving—crimes that U.S. authorities say pose a “direct threat” to public safety. The State Department shared the update on social media platform X, noting that President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio remain committed to a tougher immigration policy. The message was accompanied by an image of Trump with the slogan, “Make America Safe Again,” underscoring the political messaging behind the enforcement campaign.
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American media reports indicate that more than 8,000 student visas were among those cancelled, marking a sharp rise compared to previous years. Officials say the total number of cancellations this year is nearly double that of last year. The move is being widely interpreted as part of the administration’s broader effort to tighten border controls and restrict entry for individuals deemed risky or non-compliant with U.S. laws.
In a significant blow to Indian applicants, U.S. authorities have also postponed appointment dates for H-1B visa interviews. The U.S. Embassy in India announced on X that certain consular appointments have been pushed back to 2026. The embassy clarified that applicants will need to return for interviews on the newly assigned dates, effectively causing delays of several months to over a year for some candidates.
Indian nationals form one of the largest groups applying for H-1B visas, most of them seeking employment opportunities in the American technology sector. The delays are expected to impact both applicants and U.S. companies that rely heavily on skilled workers from India.
The State Department reiterated that the cancellations were not arbitrary but based on specific violations. It stated that many of the revoked visas were linked to misconduct that could endanger American citizens, including traffic violations, violent behavior and theft-related offenses. Officials emphasized that maintaining public safety is now a top priority of U.S. immigration policy and that the revocation process will continue.
The sweeping visa cancellations and appointment delays mark a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s security-driven approach to immigration, with far-reaching implications for students, workers and international travel.
