Washington, Dec 9 (NationPress) The United States has annulled 85,000 visas across various categories this year, according to a senior official from the State Department. This action is viewed as part of a reinforced initiative to safeguard American communities and uphold public safety standards.

“This year, we’ve revoked 85,000 visas, which includes over 8,000 students, marking a significant increase compared to the previous year,” the State Department representative stated in response to inquiries.

“The primary reasons for these visa revocations include DUIs, assaults, and theft, collectively accounting for nearly half of the total revocations in the past year. These individuals pose a direct risk to the safety of our communities, and we are determined to prevent their presence in our country,” the official, who requested anonymity, elaborated.

According to the official, the administration maintains a strict visa-vetting process, especially for applicants from high-risk regions. Regarding Afghanistan, the official commented: “This administration has consistently expressed concerns regarding security in Afghanistan following the withdrawal, ensuring that we can meticulously vet visa applicants to confirm they do not pose a threat.”

They emphasized that security checks will not be expedited: “We will take as much time as necessary, and we will not issue a visa until we are confident that the applicant does not endanger the safety and security of Americans.”

The official was queried about whether involvement in fact-checking or content moderation efforts—such as work for social media or civil society organizations—could lead to visa denials under the recently implemented policies of the Trump administration.

“Freedom of speech is a core American value, and the Trump Administration aims to protect Americans from foreign entities attempting to censor them,” the official remarked. “This is the rationale behind Secretary Rubio's establishment of a visa restriction in May targeting foreign nationals who engage in censorship against Americans.”

However, the official clarified that such cases are not judged based solely on one criterion.

“In assessing visa eligibility, consular officers consider the entirety of an applicant's circumstances, leading to case-by-case determinations regarding US visa eligibility,” they explained.

This increased scrutiny coincides with the ongoing refinement of US immigration and vetting procedures following the 2021 military withdrawal from Afghanistan, which left numerous individuals seeking resettlement or visas through special US programs. American officials have consistently reiterated that all Afghan applicants must undergo stringent multilayered security checks—an essential process for US national security policy, despite the delays it may cause.

The United States has historically modified its visa and immigration policies in response to changes in global security dynamics, particularly after significant geopolitical events or shifts in administration. While visa revocations due to criminal behavior are not unusual, the scale of this action—specifically the 85,000 figure—emphasizes Washington's ongoing commitment to public safety and homeland security risk assessments across all visa categories.