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Trump visa policy in Americas
Archived — this story has rotated out of today’s deck. It is kept here in full.
The gist
Trump administration revoked over 175,000 visas, targeting students and political figures. The visa crackdown reshapes immigration and could cost U.S. colleges $3 billion.
Background
The Trump administration has aggressively used visa policies as a tool in the Americas, including restoring visas for some Central American political figures and revoking others. A December executive order banned travel from 39 countries, halting student visas for Iran and Nigeria. This has led to a decline in international students, costing the U.S. over $3 billion.
How it unfolded
- Dec 2025Trump signed an executive order banning travel from 39 countries, effectively stopping student visas from those nations.
- Aug 10, 2026TIME reported that the administration revoked more than 175,000 visas, with a State Department spokesperson defending the actions.
- Aug 13, 2026A report concluded that the visa policy led to fewer international students, potentially costing over $3 billion.
- Aug 16, 2026NYT article detailed how visa policies are used as a tool to exert influence in the Americas.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- State Department says the visa revocations uphold national security and public safety.
- Analysts
- The Association of International Educators recommends prioritizing student visas and exempting travel-ban countries with standard vetting.
Still unverified
The exact number of visas revoked may vary; TIME cites federal officials but does not provide a breakdown.