The United States government is considering cancelling up to 200,000 business and tourist visas held by foreign nationals who entered the country as temporary visitors before applying for asylum.
The proposed move by the Donald Trump administration could affect holders of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026, according to documents obtained by The Associated Press and US officials.
The State Department is expected to begin announcing some of the visa revocations in the coming weeks, although the final number of affected visas has not been confirmed.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the department was working with the Department of Homeland Security to identify visa holders who could be affected by the review.
“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,” Pigott said.
US officials who disclosed details of the proposed plan spoke on condition of anonymity because the visa revocations have not been finalised.
The planned cancellations would not necessarily mean that people with pending asylum applications would be immediately deported from the United States. In some cases, the affected individuals could retain other forms of immigration protection while losing their B1 or B2 visitor status.
The proposal is expected to face legal challenges if implemented.
The possible mass revocation is part of the Trump administration’s broader immigration enforcement measures, which have included increased scrutiny of visa applicants, examination of applicants’ social media activity and visa bond requirements for nationals of certain countries.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has also criticised foreigners who enter the US on temporary visas before subsequently filing asylum claims.
“People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims,” Landau wrote on X, adding that asylum should not be used as a way to circumvent immigration laws.
B1 visas are generally issued to foreign nationals travelling to the United States for business purposes, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits and certain medical-related travel.
Applicants for the visas are generally required to demonstrate that they intend to leave the United States after their temporary stay.
The State Department has already revoked about 175,000 visas during the past 18 months, according to the report. Previous cancellations have involved people convicted or accused of offences including driving under the influence, rape and robbery.
Some visas were also reportedly revoked from individuals who publicly criticised US policies, particularly in relation to the Middle East.
The administration has separately pursued restrictions on birth tourism involving pregnant foreign nationals travelling to the United States to give birth.
Trump has repeatedly sought to end birthright citizenship, although courts have blocked or challenged efforts to implement the policy.
Documents obtained by AP indicate that the latest visa screening exercise began after the State Department received information from US Citizenship and Immigration Services regarding asylum applications.
The final number of B1 and B2 visas that could be revoked remains uncertain as the review continues.
🚨 JUST NOW: Democrats are now PANICKING after President Trump plans to REVOKE 200,000 Foreign Visas of people trying to claim “asylum”
AMERICAN IS CLOSED
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) August 24, 2026
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