The United States has cancelled about 85,000 visas in the past year, a sweeping action that has rattled foreign nationals, academic institutions and immigration advocates.
Officials saidthe surge in revocations is tied to rising concerns over public safety, but critics argue the widened criteria risk penalising people who pose no real threat.
Authorities confirmed that more than 8,000 international students were hit by the measure, representing more than twice the number affected in the previous year. The development has raised fears of deeper disruptions to study plans, research programmes and institutional enrolment figures.
While some cancellations were linked to alleged criminal conduct including DUI, assault and theft, officials noted that the spike also reflects intensified vetting procedures and a more expansive assessment of security risks.
“These are individuals we believe present a direct risk to community safety,” the official said, adding that consular officers have been instructed to adopt a broader interpretation of conduct deemed relevant to visa eligibility.
The tougher approach now cuts across multiple visa categories.
In recent weeks, Washington has directed consular posts to apply stricter scrutiny to H 1B applicants, a category heavily used by technology companies and specialised employers.
Leaked internal guidance, reported by US media, indicates officers have been authorised to deny visas to applicants suspected of participating in activities that impede or suppress protected speech while in the United States, a criterion immigration experts described as unusually vague and difficult to measure.
Advocacy groups warned the new framework could have far reaching implications for academic mobility, global recruitment and the US reputation as a welcoming destination for international talent.
