Trump administration plans to revoke visas of foreigners seeking asylum

The Trump administration announced plans to revoke the non-immigrant visas of foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States. This policy represents the latest measure in a broader immigration crackdown aimed at tightening U.S. borders.

A State Department spokesman indicated coordination with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and revoke visas for individuals who entered as short-term visitors but subsequently filed for asylum to remain in the country permanently. The exact number of visas to be revoked has not been specified by the State Department.

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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.

However, The Associated Press, citing State Department documents and U.S. officials, reported that up to 200,000 business and tourism visas (B1 and B2) issued between 2016 and 2026 could be revoked. If realized, this would constitute the largest single mass revocation of visas in U.S. history. These revocations would not necessarily lead to immediate deportation, but individuals with pending asylum cases would lose their status as business or tourism travelers.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticized the U.S. immigration system for being "swamped by frivolous asylum claims." The State Department previously reported revoking over 175,000 visas under the Trump administration. While the administration asserts these measures enhance domestic security, rights groups argue they infringe upon free speech and due process, fostering an environment of racial profiling, particularly for ethnic minorities.

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has long been swamped by frivolous asylum claims.