Trump Administration Seeks Mass Visa Revocation for Asylum Seekers

The Trump administration is set to revoke business and tourism visas for up to 200,000 foreigners who have either applied for or are currently pursuing asylum status in the U.S. This potential action would mark the largest mass revocation of visas in U.S. history. Legal challenges are expected if the plan proceeds.

The State Department is anticipated to announce the revocation of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to those seeking asylum, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press and information from two U.S. officials. This step is being coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security.

Tommy Pigott, a spokesman for the State Department, stated, “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.” He did not disclose the potential number of revocations, noting that the process would be ongoing and numbers would change as they are implemented.

The revocations will not necessarily lead to immediate deportation. Many of those with pending asylum cases will lose their business or tourism traveler status but will be recategorized, according to anonymous officials, as the revocations are not yet finalized.

Since President Trump began his second term, his administration has increasingly restricted visa applicants by demanding more social media history details, imposing costly bonds for visa processing, and banning visa issuance for citizens from certain countries.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticized individuals who exploit tourist and business visas to enter the U.S. and apply for asylum. He emphasized in a social media post, “People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims. Asylum isn’t supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law.” He referenced a Colombian citizen who entered the U.S. in 2015 on a tourist visa and later applied for asylum.

B1 visas are intended for business trips, while B2 visas serve purposes such as tourism, family visits, or medical care. Current visa applicants must affirm they will not seek asylum in the U.S. and demonstrate plans to return to their home countries.

In the past 18 months, the State Department has revoked around 175,000 visas for individuals convicted or accused of crimes ranging from drunken driving to serious offenses, as well as for critics of U.S. policies, particularly in the Middle East.

The administration is also targeting “birth tourism,” where pregnant women travel to the U.S. to give birth so their child gains birthright citizenship. Previous attempts by Trump to end birthright citizenship have been rejected by courts, including the Supreme Court.

The State Department’s screening of current visa holders began after receiving asylum request information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.