Trump Administration Plans to Cancel Visas for Asylum Seekers

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump announced that it intends to revoke the visas of non-immigrant foreigners who have applied for asylum in the United States or are currently seeking asylum status, in the latest move as part of a comprehensive crackdown on immigration.

A spokesperson for the U.S. State Department said it is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security “to identify and revoke the visas of non-immigrant foreigners who entered the United States claiming to be short-term visitors, but subsequently filed asylum applications to remain here permanently.”

The State Department’s statement did not specify the number of visas to be revoked under these measures.

The Associated Press reported that the number of foreigners whose business and tourism visas would be revoked could reach 200,000, adding that if implemented, this would be the largest mass revocation of visas in U.S. history.

The agency’s report added that the State Department would cancel what are known as B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026, which were held by individuals who had applied for asylum or are currently seeking it.