The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing to revoke the B1 and B2 business and tourist visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the country.
The proposed move, which could become the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history, is expected to be announced within the coming weeks, according to the Associated Press.
The action would target B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to individuals who have sought asylum or are currently pursuing asylum claims in the United States.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed that the department is working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify people affected by the planned revocations. “We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who have come to the United States claiming to be short-term visitors, but then file for asylum to stay here permanently.”
According to officials cited, the cancellation of the visas would not automatically lead to deportation for most of those affected.
Instead, individuals with pending asylum applications would be moved into another immigration category while their cases are considered, effectively ending their status as business or tourist visitors.
US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau defended the proposed policy in a social media post, accusing some visa holders of using temporary visitor visas as a route to remain permanently in the country.
“People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims,” Landau wrote on X.
“Asylum isn’t supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law.”
The proposed visa revocations are part of a broader tightening of US immigration and visa policies under Trump’s second administration.
Over the past year, the administration has introduced additional scrutiny for visa applicants, including demands for more information about their social media activity and requirements for some applicants to post substantial visa bonds.
The US has also restricted visa issuance to citizens of certain countries as part of its wider immigration enforcement measures.
The State Department has separately revoked about 175,000 visas over the past 18 months, according to the report.
Those cancellations have affected people convicted or accused of offences including driving under the influence, rape and robbery, as well as individuals who have publicly criticised US policies, particularly regarding the Middle East.
If implemented, the latest proposal would represent a significant escalation in the administration’s efforts to prevent people from using temporary US visas to pursue longer-term immigration or asylum claims.
Erizia Rubyjeana
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