State Department defends visa revocations as routine; declines to discuss evidence in Turkish student's detention

The Department of State defended visa revocations as part of routine enforcement of U.S. law and declined to provide numerical totals, saying the figures are dynamic and the department generally does not provide statistics on revocations.

"We don't speak about specifics...we tend to also not provide statistics," State Department spokesperson Tami said at a press briefing. She added the department revokes visas "every day in order to secure America's borders and keep our communities safe" and said revocations can lead to refusal, revocation, or deportation depending on the case.

Reporters pressed about the detention and visa revocation of a Turkish student, identified in reporting and by advocates as Rumaisa (also spelled Ramesa) Ozturk. The student's lawyer and family deny the administration's claims that she violated U.S. law. Tami said she would not comment on matters pending in court and referred questions about evidentiary matters to the judicial process. "That will be adjudicated in court," she said.

When asked about protections for foreign nationals who lose work due to layoffs — including nearly 700 journalists reported to be affected at the Voice of America — Tami said visa rules for someone who loses a job are the same as for others: they can seek a new employer‑sponsored visa, leave the country, or, if they fear return to their home country, apply for asylum. "If you cannot return because of fear of what will occur to you...you can apply for asylum," she said.

Tami also said the Department of State works closely with the Department of Homeland Security on visa adjudication and enforcement and that security vetting runs from application through the validity period of a visa.

The department did not provide counts of revoked visas, costs associated with repatriation, or details of evidence in individual cases.