US revokes 85,000 visas; Trump warns tariff rollback to hit national security

The United States has revoked 85,000 visas since January, a sweeping escalation that underscores President Donald Trump’s hard-line approach to immigration enforcement and border security.

In a post on X, the State Department declared: “85,000 visa revocations since January. President Trump and Secretary Rubio adhere to one simple mandate, and they won't stop anytime soon.” The message, paired with an image of Trump and the slogan “Make America Safe Again,” made the administration’s position unmistakably clear.

A senior State Department official revealed that over 8,000 of the revoked visas belonged to students, offering the first granular look at the scale of the crackdown. Offences such as DUI, theft, and assault accounted for nearly half of all revocations over the past year, CNN reported, though the official did not detail the reasons behind the remaining cancellations.

Previous explanations from the department have cited visa expirations, administrative issues, and cases linked to “support for terrorism.” In October, the administration revoked visas of individuals accused of “celebrating” the killing of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. International students involved in Gaza-related protests have also come under heightened scrutiny.

These steps align with the administration’s August announcement of a ‘continuous vetting’ system, an expansive programme designed to monitor over 55 million foreigners who hold valid US visas throughout their stay. The goal: identify violations in real time and act swiftly.

Under Trump’s second term, the State Department has widened its review criteria, increased checks on visa holders, and strengthened screening of H-1B applicants, a programme vital to U.S. employers seeking specialised global talent.

Taken together, the aggressive revocations, continuous monitoring, and intensified visa scrutiny signal a clear shift: the US is moving toward a far more muscular, zero-tolerance immigration posture, one where even minor offence can trigger rapid enforcement, and no visa category is exempt.

TRUMP’S STARK WARNING AGAINST TARIFF ROLLBACK

Meanwhile, Trump has warned that Supreme Court ruling on tariffs could harm US security. The US President issued a stark warning: If the Supreme Court curbs his power to impose tariffs, America will be “financially defenceless.”

The dramatic statement comes as the Court weighs the legality of his sweeping tariff policies, a review that began November 5 and has grown more contentious by the day. Several businesses and Democratic-led states have approached the US Court of International Trade, arguing that tariff authority lies with Congress, not the presidency.

Trump pushed back forcefully on social media, calling a potential adverse ruling “the biggest threat in history to United States National Security.” He argued that stripping the White House of tariff power would leave the country unable to respond to global trade actions.

Citing French President Emmanuel Macron’s recent warning to China that the EU may impose tariffs “in the coming months,” Trump claimed the US must be allowed to act just as swiftly.

Defending his approach, Trump declared that tariffs — “easily and quickly applied” — have strengthened America’s economy and national security. “Only dark and sinister forces would want to see that end!!!” he added.

The warning comes at a politically delicate moment. Trump’s approval ratings have dipped since returning to office, and rising living costs have become a central voter concern. With inflation hitting 2.8% year-on-year in September, the high-stakes legal fight over tariffs is unfolding against a backdrop of economic anxiety.

The Supreme Court’s eventual decision will determine more than tariff policy. It might redefine the balance of power between Congress and the presidency in America’s economic wars.