Trump administration moves to revoke visas for up to 200,000 asylum seekers
FILE - US-POLITICS-TRUMP-MINING-INDUSTRY-ENERGYUS Secretary of State Marco Rubio (R) listens as US President Donald Trump speaks during a roundtable on the American mining industry at the US Department of State in Washington, DC, on August 7, 2026. (
The Trump administration is working to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum status in the United States.
Tens of thousands could lose B1/B2 visas
Dig deeper:
The State Department is expected to announce in the coming weeks the revocation of so-called B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 whose holders have sought asylum or are now seeking asylum, according to State Department documents obtained by The Associated Press and two U.S. officials.
The action will be taken in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.
What they're saying:
"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," said State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott.
The revocations would not necessarily result in their immediate deportation, the officials said. Most of those with asylum cases currently pending would be recategorized but would lose their status as business or tourism travelers, according to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity because the revocations are not final yet.
What are B1 and B2 visas?
B1 visas are generally issued for business trips and B2 visas are generally issued for tourism, family visits or medical care.
Current applicants for B1 and B2 visas are asked to affirm that they will not apply for asylum in the United States and prove that they intend to return to their home countries.
The Source: Information for this article was taken from The Associated Press.