The United States government is considering the mass cancellation of up to 200,000 business and tourist visas belonging to foreigners who have applied for asylum.
The proposed action by the Donald Trump administration could affect holders of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026.
According to documents obtained by The Associated Press and US officials, the State Department is expected to begin announcing the revocations in the coming weeks.
Why the visas are being targeted
The administration is focusing on foreigners who entered the US as temporary visitors before seeking asylum.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the department was working with the Department of Homeland Security to identify affected visa holders.
“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.
However, the department has not confirmed the final number of visas that could be cancelled.
Pigott said the figure would remain subject to change as the process continues.
Visa cancellation may not mean immediate deportation
The planned revocations would not necessarily result in immediate deportation for people with pending asylum cases.
Instead, many affected individuals could have their immigration status recategorised while losing their B1 or B2 visitor status.
US officials disclosed the information on condition of anonymity because the proposed revocations have not been finalised.
The plan is expected to face legal challenges if implemented.
Trump administration intensifies immigration restrictions
The proposed visa cancellations are part of a broader immigration crackdown under Trump.
Since returning to office for a second term, the administration has introduced tougher requirements for visa applicants.
These measures include greater scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity and visa bond requirements.
The administration has also restricted visa issuance to citizens of certain countries.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau recently criticised foreigners who enter the US using temporary visas before filing asylum claims.
“People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims,” Landau wrote on X.
“Asylum isn’t supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law.”
What the B1 and B2 visas allow
B1 visas are primarily issued for business-related travel to the US.
B2 visas cover tourism, family visits and certain medical purposes.
Applicants are required to show that they intend to return to their home countries after their temporary stay.
They are also asked to affirm that they will not seek asylum after entering the US.
It remains unclear how many current B1 and B2 visa holders have filed asylum claims.
Visa cancellations already exceed 175,000
The State Department has already revoked about 175,000 visas over the past 18 months.
Those cancellations have involved people convicted or accused of offences including driving under the influence, rape and robbery.
Some visas were also revoked from people who publicly criticised US policies, particularly regarding the Middle East.
The administration has separately moved against birth tourism involving pregnant foreign nationals travelling to the US to give birth.
Trump has repeatedly attempted to end birthright citizenship, although courts, including the Supreme Court, have rejected or blocked those efforts.
Documents obtained by AP indicate that the latest screening exercise began after the State Department received information from US Citizenship and Immigration Services about asylum applications.
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🚨 JUST NOW: Democrats are now PANICKING after President Trump plans to REVOKE 200,000 Foreign Visas of people trying to claim “asylum”
AMERICAN IS CLOSED
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) August 24, 2026
