(NewsNation) — The Trump administration has put national security first as it has revoked 80,000 nonimmigrant visas for a variety of infractions since January, a State Department official said.
Driving under the influence, theft and assault were the top three offenses tied to the revocations, according to Tommy Pigott, the State Department’s deputy spokesperson.
“We will not tolerate people — foreigners here on visas — that break our laws. Being here is a privilege, it’s not a right,” he told “Elizabeth Vargas Reports” on Friday.
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Pigott framed the revocations as a national security issue when he was asked whether some visiting foreigners had been targeted for their views.
The Trump administration has tightened social media vetting and expanded screening for visas. Earlier this year, the State Department said the White House had revoked thousands of student visas for reasons that included overstays and, in a small number of cases, support of terrorism.
The department said last month it had revoked the visas of at least six people over social media comments about the Sept. 10 assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The Trump administration has come under fire for trying to expel individuals born in other countries, including former Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder, for supporting Palestinians and criticizing Israel during the war in Gaza. White House officials say some protesters have threatened U.S. foreign policy or have been supportive of Hamas.
“If you take actions, such as breaking our laws, supporting terrorism, or actions that counter the terms of your visa … you may see that visa revoked,” Pigott said.
