US preparing to cancel visas of nearly 200,000 foreigners

The United States government is reportedly preparing to cancel the business and tourist visas of nearly 200,000 foreign nationals, a move that would represent the largest single visa cancellation in American history. The State Department could announce the cancellation of B-1 and B-2 visas in the coming weeks.

This significant action will specifically target individuals who entered the US on these temporary visas between 2016 and 2026 and have since applied, or are in the process of applying, for asylum. According to a State Department spokesperson, these individuals initially entered the U.S. for short stays as tourists or business travelers but later sought to remain permanently by filing for asylum.

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some people come to the US on tourist or business visas and then apply for asylum to stay.

While a cancelled visa does not equate to immediate deportation, the status of those with pending asylum cases may change, and their existing business or tourist visa status will be terminated. The State Department has not provided an exact number of affected individuals, noting that the figure could fluctuate as the process unfolds in phases.

This potential move follows a trend of tightened visa rules under the Trump administration, which previously included requests for social media information, costly visa bonds, and bans for citizens of certain countries. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated that the U.S. aims to prevent asylum from being used as a means to circumvent immigration laws, noting instances where individuals use temporary visas to enter and then apply for asylum to stay.

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Visa cancellation does not mean immediate deportation