Trump administration plans to revoke up to 200,000 visas, AP reports

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is reportedly considering a significant and unprecedented move to revoke as many as 200,000 business and tourist visas, according to a report by the Associated Press. If carried out, this would represent the largest single mass cancellation of visas in American history.

The proposed revocations would specifically target individuals who were granted B1 (business) or B2 (tourism) visas between 2016 and 2026. According to two official sources cited by AP, the measure is aimed at those who have applied, or are currently applying, for asylum after entering the United States. The administration's stated goal is to identify foreign nationals who initially claimed to be visiting for short stays but later sought to remain in the country permanently.

While a State Department spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, declined to confirm the total number of visas slated for cancellation, he acknowledged the interagency effort to address this issue. The sources indicated that the revocation of a visa would not necessarily lead to immediate deportation, as most asylum applicants would be reclassified. However, they would lose their business or tourist visa status. Such a large-scale revocation is also expected to face significant legal challenges.

This potential policy shift aligns with the Trump administration's broader tightening of visa regulations and its generally stringent approach to immigration. These restrictions have been a hallmark of the administration's second term, reflecting a consistent effort to enforce stricter immigration controls.

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identify foreign nationals who, upon entry to the United States, claimed to be visiting for a short duration, but who have subsequently applied for asylum to remain here permanently.