The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business (B1) and tourism (B2) visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the United States, according to State Department documents obtained by The Associated Press and two U.S. officials. If implemented, this action would constitute the largest single mass revocation of visas in U.S. history and is expected to face legal challenges. The revocations, to be announced in the coming weeks, will target visas issued between 2016 and 2026 and will be carried out in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated that the revocations aim to identify and revoke visas of individuals who entered the U.S. claiming to be short-term visitors but subsequently filed for asylum to remain permanently. While the revocations would not necessarily lead to immediate deportation, most affected individuals with pending asylum cases would be recategorized and lose their status as business or tourism travelers. The administration has been progressively tightening visa restrictions since Trump’s second term began, including demanding more social media information, requiring expensive bonds, and banning visas for citizens of certain countries. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticized the use of tourist and business visas as a loophole for asylum claims in a recent social media post.

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