The U.S. State Department has already revoked tens of thousands of visas and plans to cancel many more, according to Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy. This move is part of the Trump administration’s strict stance on immigration.
A State Department official revealed that around 80,000 non-immigrant visas have been revoked since January 20. These revocations are linked to offenses such as DUI, assault, and theft. Additionally, the administration has introduced tougher visa screening, including stricter checks on social media activity.
In a recent interview, Miller highlighted that the administration has implemented the most rigorous vetting procedures ever seen, especially for new student visa applicants. He also mentioned new efforts to review naturalization cases and reduce misuse of the welfare system through “welfare tourism” and “welfare migration.”
On September 19, President Trump issued an order requiring companies to pay a $100,000 fee for each new H-1B worker visa. However, the policy was soon clarified to apply only to new applicants, not existing visa holders. H-1B visas enable U.S. employers to hire skilled foreign workers temporarily. A significant percentage of these visas go to Indian nationals — in 2022–23, they made up 72.3% of all H-1B approvals.
Throughout his first term, Trump criticized the H-1B program, labeling it as flawed due to its potential for abuse and economic pressure. His administration continues to propose changes aimed at tightening regulations and reducing dependency on foreign labor.
