The State Department has revoked the visas of five foreign nationals who were arrested in connection with alleged impaired-driving offenses and other criminal conduct on U.S. roads, citing concerns about public safety and violations of visa requirements.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the visa holders’ alleged conduct endangered Americans and violated the conditions under which they were permitted to enter or remain in the United States.
“These five foreign nationals disregarded our laws and put our citizens at risk through their dangerous and reckless actions on the road,” Pigott told The Daily Signal. “We will not allow foreign nationals who violate the terms of their visa, break our laws, and endanger American citizens to remain in the United States.”
The State Department announced on social media that one foreign national was arrested on allegations including disorderly conduct, resisting arrest with violence, driving under the influence, and domestic violence.
The department said the individual’s visa was revoked following the arrest.
Another foreign national was arrested for aggravated DUI after authorities allegedly found the driver had a blood alcohol level nearly twice the legal limit while a minor was inside the vehicle.
Officials said the alleged circumstances created a risk to both the child and other people using U.S. roads.
A third foreign national was arrested for DUI with a blood alcohol level reportedly exceeding three times the legal limit.
The State Department wrote that the individual later appeared intoxicated at a court-ordered DUI program.
Officials said the visa was revoked and that foreign visitors who endanger others would not be given additional opportunities to remain in the country under their existing visa status.
The department also identified a foreign national who was arrested for DUI after allegedly causing injuries to another person.
A fifth individual was arrested after authorities allegedly found heroin in the vehicle and reported a blood alcohol level exceeding three times the legal limit, according to the department.
The State Department said both individuals had their visas revoked.
The actions are part of the Trump administration’s broader effort to increase scrutiny of foreign nationals seeking to enter or remain in the United States.
The administration has expanded visa screening and vetting policies while placing greater emphasis on identifying visa holders accused of criminal activity or conduct officials consider a public-safety concern.
State Department guidance permits visa revocation in several circumstances, including when officials determine that a visa holder is no longer eligible for the visa classification.
Federal guidance also provides specific authority to revoke certain visas based on arrests or convictions involving DUI, driving while intoxicated, or similar offenses occurring within the previous five years.
The State Department said it conducts continuous vetting of visa holders to identify information that could affect a person’s eligibility or raise public-safety concerns.
Pigott said the department would continue using that process to take action against foreign nationals whose conduct is determined to pose a danger to Americans.
“The State Department will always put the safety of Americans first,” Pigott said. “That’s why the State Department conducts continuous vetting of visa holders to ensure that foreign nationals don’t present a danger to the American people.”
The five cases illustrate the administration’s broader approach to visa enforcement, with officials emphasizing that an arrest involving impaired driving or other alleged criminal conduct can trigger a review of a foreign national’s visa status.
