US to Revoke Visas for Up to 200,000 Asylum Seekers, Citing Fraud

The United States government intends to revoke the visas of as many as 200,000 foreign nationals who entered the country under temporary visitor status but subsequently applied for asylum. The State Department announced Tuesday that this measure targets individuals who allegedly misrepresented their intentions, seeking to stay permanently after arriving as temporary visitors.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated that obtaining a visa with the intention of seeking asylum constitutes fraud, which is a valid reason for visa revocation. This policy aligns with the administration's ongoing efforts to tighten immigration controls and reduce the number of people entering and remaining in the United States.

The White House suggested on the social media platform X that the move could represent the "largest mass visa revocation in history." While the White House indicated the potential scale, the State Department did not confirm the exact number of visas that would be affected. The Department of Homeland Security is reportedly collaborating with the State Department to identify the individuals whose visas may be subject to cancellation.

This crackdown represents a significant tightening of U.S. immigration policy, signaling a stricter approach to visa applications and asylum claims. The administration frames this action as a necessary step to uphold the integrity of the immigration system and deter what it describes as fraudulent use of the visa process.

“

Obtaining a visa in order to seek asylum is fraud, which is grounds for visa revocation.