Officials attribute the sharp rise in visa cancellations to heightened public-safety concerns, though immigrant-rights advocates argue the broadened criteria may unfairly penalize individuals who pose little or no real threat.

A State Department representative confirmed that more than 8,000 international students were impacted—over twice the number recorded the previous year.

While some cancellations stemmed from allegations of criminal conduct such as DUI, theft, or assault, authorities noted that the increase is also linked to stricter vetting procedures and a more proactive stance toward potential security risks.

“These are individuals we believe could pose a direct danger to community safety,” the official explained, adding that consular officers have been instructed to interpret conduct relevant to visa eligibility more broadly.

The stepped-up scrutiny now affects multiple visa categories. Recently, the administration directed consular offices to implement additional screening for H-1B applicants—a visa frequently used by tech companies and specialized employers to recruit skilled workers from abroad.

According to internal guidance reported in U.S. media, consular officers have also been advised to deny visas to applicants suspected of engaging in activities that could restrict or intimidate protected speech while in the United States—a standard immigration experts say is unusually vague and challenging to evaluate.