The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States. This potential action would mark the largest single mass revocation of visas in U.S. history and may face legal challenges. The State Department is expected to announce the revocation of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for holders who have sought asylum, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press and two U.S. officials. The revocation process will be coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated that they are working with DHS to identify and revoke the visas of individuals who claim to be short-term visitors but subsequently file for asylum. He did not provide specific numbers, noting that the process is ongoing and the number of revocations will be dynamic. The revocations would not lead to immediate deportation; most individuals with pending asylum cases would be reclassified but would lose their status as business or tourism travelers.
Since President Trump took office for his second term, the administration has increased restrictions on visa applicants, including demands for more information about social media histories and the requirement of expensive bonds for visa processing. In a recent social media post, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticized individuals who misuse tourist and business visas to apply for asylum, stating that asylum should not be a loophole to circumvent immigration law.
B1 visas are typically issued for business purposes, while B2 visas are for tourism, family visits, or medical care. The exact number of visa holders affected by the revocations remains unclear. Over the past 18 months, the State Department has revoked approximately 175,000 visas for individuals convicted or accused of crimes and for those who have publicly opposed U.S. policies. The administration has also sought to address birth tourism, a practice they claim allows foreign women to give birth in the U.S. to secure citizenship for their children.