Trump administration to revoke visas of foreigners seeking asylum in US, officials say

The United States Department of State announced on Monday its plan to revoke the B1 and B2 visas of foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the country, as part of a broader immigration crackdown. A state department spokesman confirmed that the decision is being coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and revoke the non-immigrant visas of individuals who initially come to the US as tourists or business travelers but then file asylum claims to remain in the country permanently.

The exact number of visas to be revoked has not been disclosed, but estimates range from up to 200,000, according to the Associated Press, which would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history. The revoked visas were issued between 2016 and 2026 and are specifically for business and tourism travel. The revocation of these visas would not necessarily lead to immediate deportation; most individuals with pending asylum cases would be re-categorized but would lose their status as business or tourism travelers.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticized the American immigration system, alleging it has been overwhelmed by "frivolous" asylum claims. Earlier this month, the State Department revealed that under the Trump administration, it had revoked more than 175,000 visas of foreign nationals. President Trump has been pursuing an aggressive immigration crackdown, including revocations of visas and green cards, and an intensified deportation drive, emphasizing the objective of enhancing domestic security.

Critics, including rights groups, argue that the crackdown infringes upon free speech and due process rights, potentially creating an unsafe environment, especially for ethnic minorities who have raised concerns about racial profiling. Despite Trump's 2024 campaign promises to curb illegal immigration, his administration has also made legal immigration more challenging, such as by imposing new and costly fees for specific work visa applicants. The administration's crackdown has encountered legal challenges.