President Donald Trump’s administration said on Monday it plans to revoke non‑immigrant visas for foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States, extending its ongoing immigration crackdown.
A State Department spokesperson indicated the department is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security “to identify and revoke the non‑immigrant visas of foreigners who came to the United States claiming to be short‑term visitors but then filed for asylum to remain permanently.”
The State Department did not specify how many visas will be affected.
The Associated Press, citing State Department documents and two U.S. officials, reported that as many as 200,000 business and tourist visas could be revoked—potentially the largest single mass revocation in U.S. history.
According to the AP, the State Department will target B‑1 and B‑2 non‑immigrant visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for holders who have sought or are seeking asylum.
The revocation process would not automatically lead to deportation. Most individuals with pending asylum cases would be re‑categorized but would lose their status as business or tourism travelers.
Earlier on Monday, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X that the U.S. immigration system “has long been swamped by frivolous asylum claims.”
The State Department noted earlier this month that under the Trump administration it has already revoked more than 175,000 visas for foreign nationals.
Trump’s immigration crackdown includes the revocation of visas and green cards, as well as aggressive deportation efforts, which the administration says are designed to bolster domestic security.
Rights groups contend that the measures infringe on free speech and due‑process rights, creating an environment they say is unsafe for ethnic minorities and raising concerns about racial profiling.
While Trump campaigned on halting illegal immigration, his administration has also tightened legal immigration pathways, imposing new fees for certain work‑visa applicants and drawing legal challenges.
(FRANCE 24 with Reuters)
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