The Trump administration is planning a major crackdown on immigrants who entered the US on temporary visas and later applied for asylum. The plan could lead to the revocation of visas held by around 200,000 people.
According to State Department documents reviewed by the Associated Press, the move could mainly affect people who entered the US on B-1 and B-2 visas for business or tourism before later seeking asylum.
If the plan goes ahead, it would be the largest mass visa revocation program in US history. It comes as US President Donald Trump’s administration pushes to increase deportations of immigrants who are in the country illegally or have stayed beyond the period allowed by their visas.
State Department says visas could be revoked
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott confirmed that the administration is working with DHS on the plan.
“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 according to the Associated Press.
He did not give a final number for how many visas could be revoked. “As the process will be ongoing, the number of revocations remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis,” he said.
The administration has not yet made the revocations final. Officials said the move would not automatically mean that everyone affected would be deported immediately.
People whose asylum cases are still pending would, in most cases, be recategorised. However, they would lose their status as business or tourism visitors, according to AP, citing US officials.
The State Department is reportedly preparing to review and revoke B-1 and B-2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who later sought asylum in the US.
The number of people affected could reach 200,000.
What are B-1 and B-2 visas?
B-1 visas are generally issued to people visiting the US for business purposes. B-2 visas are mainly used for tourism, family visits and medical treatment.
There’s still uncertainty about how many B-1 and B-2 visa holders have applied for asylum, or exactly how many would be affected by the planned revocations.
People currently applying for B-1 and B-2 visas are asked to confirm that they will not apply for asylum in the US. They must also show that they plan to return to their home countries after their temporary visit.
Nearly 175,000 visas already revoked
The latest plan would come after a large number of visa revocations already carried out by the State Department.
Over the past 18 months, the department has revoked about 175,000 visas. These included cases involving people convicted or accused of crimes such as drunken driving, rape and robbery.
Some visas were also revoked from people who had publicly spoken out against US policies, particularly policies related to the Middle East.
The administration has also taken action against “birth tourism.” This refers to foreign pregnant women travelling to the US to give birth so their children can receive the benefits of birthright citizenship.
Trump admin has tightened visa rules
The planned revocations come as the Trump administration has continued to tighten US visa rules since Trump returned to office for his second term last year.
The administration has asked visa applicants for more information about their social media activity. It has also introduced expensive visa bond requirements and banned visas for citizens of some countries.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also criticised people who enter the US on tourist or business visas and later apply for asylum.
“People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims,” Landau wrote in a post on X on Monday.
“Asylum isn’t supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law,” he added.
Does applying for asylum mean visa fraud?
One of the biggest questions surrounding the plan is whether applying for asylum after entering the US on a visitor visa should automatically be treated as proof that the person lied when getting the visa.
The Trump administration has argued that some asylum applications are being used to get around the normal immigration system.
Immigration lawyers, however, point out that a person’s situation can change after they enter the US. Someone may legally enter the country for tourism or business and later face new circumstances, or learn about conditions in their home country, that make them afraid to return.
US asylum law allows eligible people to seek protection after entering the country. Whether an asylum claim is genuine and meets the legal requirements is ultimately decided through the immigration system.
Disclaimer: This article is for general informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, immigration, or tax advice. Immigration laws and government policies are subject to frequent change without notice. While we strive to provide accurate updates, readers are strongly advised to verify the latest requirements with the official embassy, consulate, or government portal of the respective country. Financial Express is not responsible for any decisions made based on this information. For personalized guidance, please consult a qualified immigration attorney or a certified professional advisor.