Trump Administration Cancels Over 100,000 Visas in First Year, Nigerians Affected

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has revoked more than 100,000 visas belonging to foreign nationals, including Nigerians, within its first year in office, according to an official update from the U.S. Department of State.

U.S. authorities confirmed that the large-scale visa cancellations form part of a broader immigration enforcement drive aimed at tightening border security and internal controls. The figure represents one of the highest levels of visa revocations recorded in a single year in recent U.S. history.

Breakdowns released by the State Department show that thousands of the affected visas were issued to international students, while several others were specialised permits held by individuals flagged following encounters with U.S. law enforcement agencies over criminal-related issues.

American officials said the policy is being pursued aggressively, stressing that visa privileges will continue to be withdrawn where holders are deemed to pose security or legal risks. The department made it clear that further revocations and deportations are expected as enforcement efforts intensify.

Analysts note that the scale of the revocations already exceeds figures recorded under the previous administration, effectively doubling similar actions taken in the final year of President Joe Biden’s tenure.

President Trump, who returned to office in January 2025, had repeatedly pledged during his election campaign to implement what he described as the most extensive deportation and immigration crackdown in U.S. history.

For affected countries such as Nigeria, the development has raised concerns among students, skilled workers, and diaspora communities, many of whom are now closely monitoring U.S. immigration policy shifts under the current administration.