The US State Department is reportedly preparing to revoke B1
and B2 visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently
seeking asylum in the country.
Citing State Department documents and two US officials, the
Associated Press reported that the federal agency will target B1 and B2 visas
(business and tourism visas) issued between 2016 and 2026.
The action will be taken in coordination with the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS), and if implemented, would be the largest single
mass revocation of visas in US history.
“We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the
non-immigrant 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,”
Tommy Pigot, State Department spokesperson, said.
Though Pigot did not confirm the number of visas that might
be revoked, he said, “the process will be ongoing, the number of revocations
remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis.”
The US officials noted that the revocations would not
necessarily result in immediate deportation. However, most people with asylum
cases currently pending would be recategorised but would lose their status as
business or tourism travellers, according to the officials.
B1 visas are generally issued for business trips, and B2
visas are generally issued for tourism, family visits or medical care.
The AP report said it was not immediately clear from the
documents or the officials how many of these visa holders are seeking or have
sought asylum in the US and would be affected by the revocations.
Current applicants for B1 and B2 visas are asked to affirm
that they will not apply for asylum in the US and prove that they intend to
return to their home countries.
Earlier this year, the US State Department said it had
revoked more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to the
White House in January 2025.
The US State Department is reportedly preparing to revoke B1
and B2 visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently
seeking asylum in the country.
Citing State Department documents and two US officials, the
Associated Press reported that the federal agency will target B1 and B2 visas
(business and tourism visas) issued between 2016 and 2026.
The action will be taken in coordination with the Department
of Homeland Security (DHS), and if implemented, would be the largest single
mass revocation of visas in US history.
“We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the
non-immigrant 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,”
Tommy Pigot, State Department spokesperson, said.
Though Pigot did not confirm the number of visas that might
be revoked, he said, “the process will be ongoing, the number of revocations
remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis.”
The US officials noted that the revocations would not
necessarily result in immediate deportation. However, most people with asylum
cases currently pending would be recategorised but would lose their status as
business or tourism travellers, according to the officials.
B1 visas are generally issued for business trips, and B2
visas are generally issued for tourism, family visits or medical care.
The AP report said it was not immediately clear from the
documents or the officials how many of these visa holders are seeking or have
sought asylum in the US and would be affected by the revocations.
Current applicants for B1 and B2 visas are asked to affirm
that they will not apply for asylum in the US and prove that they intend to
return to their home countries.
Earlier this year, the US State Department said it had
revoked more than 100,000 visas since President Donald Trump returned to the
White House in January 2025.
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