US Government Preparing to Revoke Visas for Foreigners Seeking Asylum

The United States government is preparing to revoke business and tourist visas for up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum, according to state department documents obtained by the Associated Press. If enacted by the State Department in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, the move would represent the largest single mass revocation of visas in American history.

The Scope of the Planned B1 and B2 Visa Revocations

The action targets B1 and B2 nonimmigrant visas issued between 2016 and 2026. B1 visas are typically issued for business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits, or medical care. State department documents show that screening of current visa holders began after the agency received information about pending asylum requests from U.S.

State department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed the ongoing coordination with the Department of Homeland Security. “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,” Pigott said. He declined to provide a final tally, noting that the process remains dynamic and will proceed on a rolling basis.

Landau Slams Asylum Claims as Immigration Loopholes

U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau addressed the upcoming policy on the social media platform X. “People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims,” Landau posted on Tuesday. “Asylum isn’t supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law.” Landau specifically cited the case of a Colombian citizen who entered the country in 2015 on a tourist visa before subsequently applying for asylum.

The planned revocations follow a series of stricter immigration measures implemented since President Donald Trump took office for his second term. The administration has increased information demands regarding social media histories, mandated expensive bonds for visa processing, and enacted outright bans on visa issuances for citizens of specific countries. In the past 18 months, the State Department has already revoked approximately 175,000 visas for individuals convicted or accused of crimes, as well as for people who have publicly criticized U.S. policies in the Middle East.

Revocations Recategorize Foreign Nationals with Pending Claims

Federal officials speaking on condition of anonymity indicated that the revocations would not result in immediate deportation for all affected individuals. Most foreign nationals with pending asylum cases would be recategorized, losing their status as business or tourism travelers while their protection claims remain under review.

Current applicants for B1 and B2 visas are required to affirm that they do not intend to apply for asylum and must demonstrate an intent to return to their home countries. Immigration attorneys and policy analysts note that the sweeping nature of the planned revocations will likely face immediate legal challenges in federal court once formally announced.

Alongside the visa review, the administration has attempted to restrict birth tourism, a practice officials claim foreign pregnant women use to secure birthright citizenship for their children. Previous executive and legislative attempts by Trump to end birthright citizenship have been rejected by the courts, including the U.S. Supreme Court.

Federal officials have not yet clarified the exact timeline for the formal announcement by the State Department, nor have they released a definitive breakdown of how many active visa holders across specific nationalities will receive revocation notices.