State Department Revokes 175,000 Visas for Violations

The U.S. Department of State has revoked approximately 175,000 visas from foreign nationals for violations of entry terms, according to reports released by the department. Most revocations were due to criminal activity, including assault, driving under the influence, theft, and drug-related offenses. The State Department stated that it has taken action against individuals who posed a danger to American citizens or engaged in fraud, including those involved in illegal birth tourism schemes. The report also mentioned specific cases, such as the deportation of Tou Lue Vang, a Laotian national convicted of child sexual abuse, despite a pardon from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Additionally, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has increased its presence at airports to identify visa overstayers. The State Department noted a significant decrease in the issuance of certain visas, with F-1 student visas for Chinese applicants down 46% and for Indian applicants down 60% compared to the same period in 2017.