The Trump administration said Monday that it plans to revoke the non-immigrant visas of foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States. The State Department did not give a total, but the Associated Press reported that up to 200,000 business and tourism visa holders could be affected.
The planned action would target B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who sought or are seeking asylum, according to the report. Visa revocation would not necessarily mean immediate deportation, and people with pending asylum cases could be re-categorized while losing their status as business or tourism travelers.
How the visa review would work
A State Department spokesperson said the department was coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and revoke visas held by people who entered the country claiming to be short-term visitors and later filed for asylum to remain permanently.
The B1 and B2 categories cover non-immigrant travel for business and tourism. The reported plan applies to visas issued during the 2016–2026 period when their holders have sought asylum; the State Department has not publicly specified how many visas it intends to revoke.
Related coverage: State Department reports over 175,000 visa revocations.
Where the reported figure comes from
The Associated Press cited State Department documents and two US officials for the estimate of up to 200,000 affected foreigners. If that figure is reached, the report said, it would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history.
The administration has already said it revoked more than 175,000 visas of foreign nationals under President Donald Trump, according to an earlier State Department statement. The newly described action is part of a broader immigration crackdown that also includes visa and green-card revocations and an aggressive deportation drive.
What remains uncertain
The announcement does not state when the revocations will begin, how individual cases will be assessed or whether the reported maximum will be reached. Pending asylum applicants would not necessarily be deported solely because their B1 or B2 visas were revoked, according to the Associated Press report.
More context: Trump wins temporary pause on BBC access to business records.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau alleged Monday that the US immigration system had been overwhelmed by frivolous asylum claims. Rights groups have said the wider crackdown threatens free-speech and due-process rights and has created an unsafe environment, including concerns about racial profiling. The administration’s immigration measures have faced legal challenges.
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