The Donald Trump Administration has revoked 85,000 visas for foreign citizens this year, including those of 8,000 international students, the United States Department of State informed the press this Monday.
An official from said agency assured that the number of canceled visas is more than double that registered the previous year, under the Joe Biden Government, although he did not specify the exact number.
Among the reasons that led to the revocation were driving under the influence of alcohol, as well as assaults and robberies, causes that together accounted for almost half of last year’s annulments.
“These people represent a direct threat to the security of our communities and we do not want them to remain in our country,” the official said.
Read also: US revokes visa to the mayor of San Felipe, Baja California
Drastically reducing immigration has been one of Trump’s main goals since he took office last January.
The State Department also withdrew visas from hundreds of students who participated in university protests last year against the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip.
The Administration has also established stricter evaluation processes for obtaining some visas, including tracking activity on social networks.
The official confirmed that having worked on verification platforms to combat disinformation or content moderation may constitute a reason for denial, since the Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, instructed last May to prohibit entry into the country to those who “censor Americans.”
“When determining whether an applicant qualifies for a visa, consular officials not only consider one factor, but the totality of their circumstances,” the official said.
With information from EFE
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