Trump Administration Moves to Revoke Visas of Foreigners Seeking Asylum After Visiting US

The United States government under President Donald Trump is planning to revoke the non-immigrant visas of foreign nationals who entered the country as visitors but subsequently applied for or are seeking asylum.

The move forms part of the administration’s broader immigration crackdown, which has increasingly targeted both undocumented migrants and people who entered the US legally.

A State Department spokesperson said on Monday that officials were 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 has not stated how many visas would be affected by the planned action.

But according to the Associated Press, up to 200,000 people holding business and tourism visas could be impacted. The report cited State Department documents and two US officials.

Should the policy affect that number of people, it would become the largest single mass revocation of US visas in the country’s history.

The AP reported that the State Department plans to target B1 and B2 visas issued from 2016 through 2026 to holders who have either applied for asylum or are currently seeking asylum.

B1 and B2 are non-immigrant visa categories mainly used by people travelling to the United States for business or tourism.

The proposed visa revocations would not necessarily mean immediate deportation for those affected. According to the AP, most individuals with pending asylum cases would be re-categorised, although they would no longer retain their classification as business or tourism visitors.

Meanwhile, US Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said on X earlier Monday that the US immigration system “has long been swamped by frivolous asylum claims”.

The State Department said earlier this month that more than 175,000 visas belonging to foreign nationals had already been revoked under the Trump administration.

Trump has intensified immigration enforcement since returning to the White House, pursuing measures that include the revocation of visas and green cards and an expanded deportation drive.

The president has argued that the policies are necessary to protect US domestic security and ensure compliance with immigration laws.

However, rights groups have condemned several aspects of the crackdown, saying some measures undermine free speech and due process protections. They have also expressed concerns about racial profiling and the treatment of ethnic minorities.

Although Trump’s 2024 campaign focused heavily on reducing illegal immigration, his administration has also taken steps affecting legal immigration, including introducing new and costly fees for applicants for certain work visas.

The administration’s immigration policies have meanwhile triggered several legal challenges.

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