Trump Administration Plans Mass Visa Revocation For Foreigners Seeking Asylum

The Trump administration is preparing to revoke B1 and B2 business and tourism visas held by foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the United States. The State Department has not given an exact figure, but US officials cited by the Associated Press estimate that up to 200,000 people could be affected. The move is part of Trump's broader immigration crackdown and is expected to face scrutiny over its potential impact on asylum seekers and due process rights.

The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing to revoke business and tourism visas held by foreigners who have applied for, or are currently seeking, asylum in the United States.
The State Department said Monday that it is working with the Department of Homeland Security to identify affected visa holders and begin revocations in the coming weeks.
The exact number remains unclear, but documents and US officials cited by the Associated Press suggest that up to 200,000 people could be affected. If that figure is confirmed, the move would represent the largest single mass visa revocation in US history.

B1 AND B2 VISAS TARGETED

The planned action would focus on B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026.
B1 visas are generally used for business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits and certain medical purposes.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said officials were targeting foreigners who entered the US as temporary visitors but later filed asylum claims in an attempt to remain permanently.
He said the number of affected visas was still changing and would be determined on a rolling basis.

VISA REVOCATION DOES NOT AUTOMATICALLY MEAN DEPORTATION

Officials said losing a B1 or B2 visa would not necessarily result in immediate deportation.
People with pending asylum applications could instead lose their classification as business or tourist visitors while their immigration cases continue.
The distinction is important because asylum applications are separate from ordinary visitor-visa status. A visa revocation could nevertheless create significant immigration consequences for people whose legal status in the US depends on other pending applications or proceedings.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION TARGETS ASYLUM CLAIMS

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticised the use of temporary visitor visas by people who later seek asylum.
He argued that asylum should not be used to circumvent US immigration law and accused the immigration system of being overwhelmed by what he described as unfounded asylum claims.
However, it remains unclear how many B1 and B2 visa holders have actually filed asylum applications and what proportion of those cases may ultimately qualify for protection under US law.

PART OF A BROADER IMMIGRATION CRACKDOWN

The planned visa revocations are the latest in a series of immigration restrictions introduced during Trump's second term.
The administration has expanded social-media screening for some visa applicants, introduced new visa-bond requirements for nationals of certain countries and imposed restrictions or bans on visa issuance for citizens of selected nations.
The State Department says it has already revoked approximately 175,000 visas over the past 18 months, citing reasons including criminal convictions and other grounds.

LEGAL IMMIGRATION ALSO UNDER PRESSURE

The administration's immigration policies have extended beyond illegal immigration.
Officials have tightened several legal immigration pathways, including introducing costly requirements for some employment-based visa applicants.
The administration has also pursued restrictions involving so-called birth tourism and has repeatedly sought to restrict birthright citizenship.
Those efforts have faced significant legal challenges, with US courts, including the Supreme Court, rejecting or limiting some of the administration's actions.

RIGHTS GROUPS RAISE CONCERNS

Civil liberties and immigrant-rights organisations have criticised the wider crackdown, warning that aggressive immigration enforcement could undermine due process and free-speech protections.
Rights groups have also expressed concern that increased immigration scrutiny could lead to racial profiling, particularly among ethnic minorities and foreign nationals.
The Trump administration, however, maintains that its immigration policies are necessary to strengthen national security, enforce immigration laws and prevent abuse of the US visa system.
The proposed mass revocations are likely to attract further legal and political scrutiny as the government begins identifying the people whose visas could be cancelled.