United States Prepares Largest Mass Visa Revocation Targeting Asylum Seekers
Officials say up to 200,000 B-1 and B-2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 could be revoked for holders who have applied for or are seeking asylum.
Washington1 min read
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The Trump administration is preparing the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history, targeting up to 200,000 foreigners who hold tourist or business visas and have sought asylum, according to officials familiar with the plans.
The action focuses on B-1 and B-2 visa holders who entered between 2016 and 2026 and later filed asylum claims or are currently in the process. Revocations would force many to leave or face removal proceedings.
The move forms part of a wider effort to reduce asylum claims and deter what the administration describes as abuse of the visa system. It coincides with the proposed H-1B fee increase and other restrictions on temporary entry.
Asylum applications have risen sharply in recent years. Critics argue that mass revocation without individualised review risks due-process violations and could overwhelm immigration courts already facing large backlogs.
Implementation details, including timelines and notification procedures, have not been fully disclosed. Officials indicated the process would begin with holders identified through existing databases linking visa records to asylum filings.
The policy is expected to face legal challenges from immigrant-rights groups and possibly from states that rely on foreign workers in tourism, education and seasonal industries.
