US Prepares for Largest Mass Visa Revocation Targeting Asylum Seekers

The Trump administration is preparing to revoke business and tourist visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States, according to State Department documents obtained by the Associated Press and confirmed by two U.S. officials. If carried out, the action would constitute the largest single mass revocation of visas in U.S. history.

The documents, reviewed by NBC10 Boston and NBC 5 Chicago, indicate the State Department is expected to announce in the coming weeks, unless challenged or revised, that it will revoke B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for holders who have sought asylum. The action is being coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed the coordination, stating: "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." Pigott declined to comment on the specific number of visas that may be revoked, saying "the number of revocations remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis."

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau echoed that sentiment in a post on X, criticizing what he called "bogus asylum claims," and writing: "Asylum isn't supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law." Landau cited the case of a Colombian citizen who entered the U.S. on a tourist visa in 2015 and subsequently applied for asylum.

B1 visas are typically issued for business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits, or medical treatment. Current applicants for these visas are already required to affirm that they will not apply for asylum and to demonstrate their intent to return to their home country.

The revocations, if carried out, would not necessarily result in immediate deportation for affected individuals. According to the documents, most visa holders with pending asylum cases would be recategorized but would lose their status as business or tourism travelers.

This action is part of broader administration efforts to tighten immigration enforcement. Over the past 18 months, the State Department has revoked approximately 175,000 visas for individuals convicted or accused of crimes, as well as those who have spoken out against U.S. policies, particularly in the Middle East. The administration has also sought to restrict so-called "birth tourism" and attempted to end birthright citizenship, though courts, including the Supreme Court, have rejected those efforts.

The screening of current B1 and B2 visa holders reportedly began after the State Department received information about asylum requests from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS).

The potential mass revocation has drawn attention from immigration experts and advocates, who note that many asylum seekers may have legitimate claims. However, the administration maintains that the asylum system is being abused by individuals who misuse visitor visas as a pathway to permanent residence.

The move is expected to face legal challenges, given the scale and the potential impact on individuals who have followed existing legal procedures in applying for asylum. As of now, the State Department has not issued an official public statement beyond Pigott's remarks, and the timeline for any announcement remains uncertain.