US set for largest mass visa revocation in history targeting up to 200K foreigners

The Trump administration is preparing to revoke up to 200,000 business and tourism visas from foreigners seeking asylum in the United States. This would be the largest mass revocation of visas in U.S. history, according to State Department documents obtained by The Associated Press and two U.S. officials. The revocations would target visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for individuals who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum.

The action is expected to be announced in the coming weeks and will be coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated that the revocations aim to identify and revoke nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who claim to be short-term visitors but apply for asylum to stay permanently.

Most affected individuals would lose their status as business or tourism travelers but would not be immediately deported. The revocations come as the administration has ramped up restrictions on visa applicants, including demanding more information about social media histories and imposing expensive bonds for visa processing. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has called out people who use tourist and business visas to enter the U.S. and then apply for asylum.