The United States has tightened its immigration rules, and as a result, about 85,000 visas have been cancelled since January 2025. These actions come after several policy changes made under the administration led by Donald Trump, focusing on stronger border security and stricter immigration control. The U.S. government has increased checks in visa procedures to prevent security threats and ensure national safety. In the past, visas were usually cancelled for reasons such as expiry, supporting terrorism, or involvement in serious violations. Now, the monitoring of visa holders has become even stricter. According to the U.S. State Department, the 85,000 cancelled visas also include over 8,000 student visas, which has shocked many. This number is almost double compared to last year. An official stated that drunk driving, theft, and assault are the main reasons behind more than half of these visa cancellations. Additionally, a new system has been introduced to closely monitor the 5.5 crore (55 million) foreign nationals currently living in the U.S. From the 15th of this month, a new rule will require H-1B visa applicants to make their social media accounts publicly visible so that authorities can review them during background checks.
