US Administration Plans Visa Review for Up to 200,000 Asylum Applicants
The US administration is preparing to review and potentially revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreign nationals who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States, according to US officials and documents reviewed by The Associated Press.
The proposed action could become one of the largest visa-revocation efforts in US history and may face legal challenges.
B1 and B2 Visas Under Review
The State Department is expected to review B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to foreign nationals who entered the US on short-term business or tourism visas and later applied for asylum.
The process is being coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed that officials are identifying people who entered the country as short-term visitors before submitting asylum applications. However, he said the final number of affected visas has not yet been determined.
B1 visas are generally used for business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits and certain medical-related travel.
Visa Revocation Would Not Automatically Mean Deportation
Officials said the potential revocation of a B1 or B2 visa would not automatically lead to immediate deportation.
Individuals with pending asylum applications could continue pursuing their cases, although they would no longer hold their previous business or tourism visa status.
The administration has continued to tighten US immigration and visa policies since President Donald Trump returned to office for a second term.
Recent measures have included expanded screening procedures, visa bonds and additional restrictions affecting nationals of certain countries.
Administration Defends the Proposed Action
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has defended the review, arguing that the asylum system should not be used as an alternative route around US immigration requirements.
According to the documents, the State Department has revoked about 175,000 visas over the past 18 months in cases involving people accused or convicted of crimes and, in some instances, individuals who publicly opposed US policies.
The documents reviewed by AP indicate that screening of current B1 and B2 visa holders began after the State Department received information from US Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding asylum applications.
The administration has not yet provided a final figure for the number of visas that will ultimately be revoked.
