Trump Administration Plans Mass Visa Revocation for Asylum Seekers

President Donald Trump arrived at the State Department for a roundtable discussion about the American mining industry. His administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners applying for asylum in the U.S. This action, if executed, would be the most extensive visa revocation in U.S. history and is likely to encounter legal challenges.

The State Department plans to announce the revocation of B1 and B2 visas issued from 2016 to 2026. These visas belong to individuals who have applied for asylum or are currently seeking asylum. The Department of Homeland Security will coordinate with this effort.

Tommy Pigott, State Department spokesman, stated, “We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who claim to be short-term visitors but then file for asylum.” The number of visas affected remains uncertain as the process will occur on a rolling basis. Officials clarified that these revocations may not lead to immediate deportation. Asylum case holders will lose their business or tourism status but may be recategorized.

Since President Trump began his second term, visa restrictions have increased. The administration demands more social media information and requires expensive bonds for visa processing. New policies also ban visas to citizens from certain countries. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticized individuals using tourist and business visas to apply for asylum in a post on X. Landau cited an example of a Colombian citizen who entered the U.S. on a tourist visa and later sought asylum.

B1 visas are typically for business trips, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits, or medical care. The number of visa holders seeking asylum remains unclear. Current visa applicants must affirm they will not apply for asylum and must prove their intent to return home.

Over the past 18 months, the State Department has revoked around 175,000 visas. These revocations targeted those convicted or accused of various crimes or criticizing U.S. policies, particularly in the Middle East. There have been efforts to stop birth tourism, although Trump’s attempts to end birthright citizenship have faced legal rejection.

Documents from the State Department, obtained by the Associated Press, indicate that screening of current B1 and B2 visa holders started following information received about asylum requests. The information came from the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.