{
  "id": 3133835,
  "title": "U.S. prepares largest mass visa revocation in history, targeting up to 200,000 foreigners who are seeking asylum",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/24/u-s-prepares-largest-mass-visa-revocation-in-history-targeting-up-to",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-08-24T22:31:15.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fortune",
    "slug": "fortune",
    "url": "https://fortune.com/2026/08/24/us-b1-b2-visa-revocation-state-department-200000-asylum-seekers/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United States government is set to revoke up to 200,000 business and tourism visas from foreigners who have applied for or are in the process of seeking asylum in the country. This would mark the largest mass revocation of visas in American history and likely to be met with legal challenges. If carried out, the State Department intends to issue the revocation of so-called B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026, belonging to individuals who have sought asylum or are now seeking it, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press and two U.S. officials. The decision will be made in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the move is aimed at identifying and revoking the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who claim to be short-term visitors but then file for asylum to stay in the U.S. permanently. The revocations will not necessarily lead to immediate deportation, with most individuals currently awaiting asylum cases being recategorized but losing their business or tourism traveler status. Since President Donald Trump's second term began last year, his administration has implemented various measures to tighten visa requirements, including requesting more information on applicants' social media history, imposing costly bonds for visa processing, and outright banning visas for citizens of specific countries. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau recently criticized those who allegedly use tourist and business visas to gain entry into the U.S. and subsequently apply for asylum, stating that asylum should not serve as a loophole to circumvent immigration law.",
  "summary": "The State Department is expected to announce the revocation of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 whose holders have sought asylum or are now seeking asylum.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Live Mint",
        "title": "US to target 200,000 B1, B2 visa holders seeking asylum in unprecedented revocation drive",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/25/us-to-target-200-000-b1-b2-visa-holders-seeking-asylum-in",
        "published": "2026-08-25T00:25:21.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}