Trump admin to revoke up to 200,000 short-term visas for visitors who overstayed then sought asylum

The Trump administration is reportedly set to revoke up to 200,000 business and tourism visas for people who are seeking or have applied for asylum status in the United States, making the move the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history if it moves forward.

Per documents obtained by the Associated Press, the State Department is reportedly expected to announce the revocation of B1 and B2 visas that were issued between 2016 and 2026 and whose holders are seeking or have sought asylum in the US. 

The action will be done in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, with State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott saying in a statement, “We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who have come to the United States claiming to be short-term visitors, but then file for asylum to stay here permanently.” He added that “as the process will be ongoing, the number of revocations remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis.” 

Officials familiar with the matter told the outlet that those who have their visas revoked under the move would not necessarily face immediate deportation, with pending asylum cases being recategorized, but they would lose their status as tourists or business travelers. 

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau on Monday called out “bogus asylum claims” made by people on short-term visas. “People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims. Asylum isn’t supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration laws; rather, it’s supposed to provide a narrow safe harbor for persons persecuted because of their ‘race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion.’” 

He highlighted a recent case in which a Colombian national came to the US in 2015 on a tourist visa, and applied for asylum just before the visa expired. 

B1 visas are typically used for business trips, while B2 visas are typically used for tourism purposes, visiting family, or medical care. Those currently applying for such visas are required to affirm that they will not apply for asylum in the US, and prove how they intend to return home.