Trump Administration Prepares for Largest Visa Revocation in U.S. History

- Including approximately 200,000 foreigners who have applied for asylum

The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is preparing to take an unprecedented step in the immigration file by revoking business and tourist visas for up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for asylum in the United States or are currently seeking asylum status, according to the Associated Press on Monday.

The agency based its information on documents reviewed by the U.S. State Department, along with statements from two U.S. officials, noting that implementing the decision would make it the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history.

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According to the report, the State Department is expected to announce within the coming weeks the revocation of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to holders who have applied for asylum or are currently seeking it, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.

B1 and B2 visas are granted to those wishing to enter the United States for business and tourism purposes.

The two officials clarified that the visa revocation would not necessarily mean immediate deportation, as most individuals whose asylum applications are still pending would be reclassified, but they would lose their status as business or tourism travelers.

Earlier on Monday, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said on the X platform that the U.S. immigration system has been “overwhelmed for a long time by frivolous asylum claims.”

The Department of Homeland Security referred inquiries about the move to the State Department, which did not respond to a request for comment.

Earlier this month, the State Department announced the revocation of more than 175,000 visas for foreigners during the Trump administration.

This move comes as part of the Trump administration’s tough stance on immigration, which the administration says aims to strengthen national security, while rights groups argue that these policies violate freedom of expression and due process guarantees, and raise concerns among ethnic minorities about “racial profiling.”