Washington, D.C. – Donald Trump's administration said on Monday it planned to revoke the non-immigrant visas of foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum status in the US, marking its latest step in a sweeping immigration crackdown that would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history.
A state department spokesperson said it was coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security "to identify and revoke the non-immigrant 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".
The state department did not specify the number of visas that will be revoked in the process.
Key developments:
- Visas to be revoked: Up to 200,000 B1 and B2 visas (business and tourism)
- Time period: Visas issued between 2016 and 2026
- Target: Foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum
- Historical scale: Largest single mass visa revocation in US history
- No immediate deportation: Most will be re-categorized but lose B1/B2 status
- Previous revocations: 175,000+ visas already revoked under Trump
- Administration claim: Immigration system "swamped by frivolous asylum claims"
- Trump's stance: Crackdown aimed at improving domestic security
- Rights groups: Crackdown violates free speech and due process
- Legal challenges: Administration faces lawsuits over policy
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Shop Now · Nepal Art ShopThe Associated Press put the number of foreigners whose business and tourism visas are planned to be revoked at up to 200,000, which if materialized, would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history. The AP cited state department documents and two US officials.
The state department will revoke so-called B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 whose holders have sought or are now seeking asylum, the AP report added. The B1 and B2 non-immigrant visas are issued for business and tourism travel.
The visa revocations would not necessarily result in immediate deportation, the AP report said, adding that most of those with asylum cases currently pending would be re-categorized but would lose their status as business or tourism travelers.
Administration's Justification
Earlier on Monday, US deputy secretary of state Christopher Landau alleged on X that the American immigration system "has long been swamped by frivolous asylum claims".
The state department said earlier this month that under the Trump administration, it has revoked more than 175,000 visas of foreign nationals.
The US president has pursued an immigration crackdown that includes revocations of visas and green cards and an aggressive deportation drive. He says the crackdown aims to improve domestic security.
Rights Groups' Response
Rights groups say the crackdown has violated free speech and due process rights and created an unsafe environment, particularly for ethnic minorities, who have raised concerns about racial profiling.
While Trump campaigned in 2024 on a platform of stopping illegal immigration, his administration has also made legal immigration more difficult – for example, by imposing new and expensive fees for applicants for certain work visas. The government's crackdown has faced legal challenges.
🛂 The Big Picture
The Trump administration plans to revoke up to 200,000 business and tourism visas of foreigners who have applied for asylum in the US, marking the largest single mass visa revocation in American history. The move targets B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026, and would re-categorize asylum seekers while stripping them of their visitor status. The administration claims the immigration system is "swamped by frivolous asylum claims," but rights groups say the crackdown violates due process and free speech, and has led to racial profiling. With more than 175,000 visas already revoked and legal challenges mounting, the policy represents one of the most aggressive immigration enforcement actions in US history.
What's Next
- Implementation: Timeline for visa revocations
- Legal challenges: Lawsuits from civil rights groups
- Asylum cases: Impact on pending applications
- Congressional response: Potential legislative action
- International reaction: Response from affected countries
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