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US plans mass visa revocation for asylum seekers
🇴🇲 Oman /Culture & Society

US plans mass visa revocation for asylum seekers

From Times of Oman · () English

Summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources New plan
  • The U.S. State Department is preparing to revoke business and tourism visas for foreigners seeking asylum in the country.
  • The move could affect up to 200,000 visas and would be the largest mass revocation in U.S. history.
  • Officials stated the revocations would not necessarily lead to immediate deportation but would re-categorize visa holders.

The Trump administration is poised to revoke the business and tourism visas of foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States. The State Department announced the impending action, which could impact up to 200,000 individuals, according to Associated Press estimates citing internal documents and officials. If implemented, this would mark the most extensive mass visa revocation in U.S. history.

The State Department plans to target B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to individuals who have sought or are currently seeking asylum. These visas are typically granted for business travel, tourism, family visits, or medical care. "We are coordinating with DHS 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," stated State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott, referencing the Department of Homeland Security. He noted that the exact number of affected visas is dynamic and will be processed on a rolling basis.

We are coordinating with DHS 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.

— Tommy PigottState Department spokesman Tommy Pigott explained the rationale behind the impending visa revocations.

Officials indicated that the revocations would not automatically result in deportation. Instead, most individuals with pending asylum cases would have their visa status re-categorized, losing their standing as business or tourism travelers, according to anonymous officials who spoke to AP. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticized the exploitation of tourist and business visas as a pathway to asylum claims, asserting that "Asylum isn't supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law." This action is the latest in a series of immigration restrictions implemented during the Trump administration, which has included enhanced social media scrutiny and new visa bans for citizens of certain nations.

People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims. Asylum isn't supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law.

— Christopher LandauDeputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticized the use of tourist and business visas as a path to asylum claims on social media platform X.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Times of Oman. Summarized and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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