Trump Administration Plans to Revoke Up to 200,000 Visas of Asylum Seekers

The Trump administration intends to revoke up to 200,000 business and tourism visas held by individuals who have sought asylum in the United States, as reported by the Associated Press on August 24, 2026. This action would represent the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history and is expected to lead to legal challenges. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott 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 specify the number of visas to be revoked, noting that the process will be ongoing and dynamic. Immigration enforcement has been a key priority for President Trump during his second administration, with actions taken against undocumented immigrants and visa revocations for various reasons. Last year, the administration initiated continuous vetting of over 55 million U.S. visa holders for potential violations that could result in revocation or deportation.