The United States administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to two hundred thousand foreign nationals who have applied for or are seeking asylum, according to reports published by the Associated Press and Reuters on Monday. If carried out, this action would constitute the largest single mass revocation of non-immigrant visas in the nation`s history. State Department documents and multiple government officials have confirmed the ongoing preparations for this sweeping policy shift.
The Department of State is coordinating directly with the Department of Homeland Security to execute the plan. Officials noted that the initiative targets foreign visitors who entered the country on short-term business or tourist permissions but subsequently filed for permanent asylum status. Specifically, B-one and B-two non-immigrant visas issued between two thousand and sixteen and two thousand and twenty-six will face revocation under the upcoming directives.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott explained that the government is systematically identifying individuals who entered as short-term visitors but pursued permanent residency through asylum claims. While precise final figures remain dynamic as administrative reviews proceed, internal documents indicate that the scope could reach two hundred thousand individuals. Officials speaking on condition of anonymity clarified that these revocations would not automatically trigger immediate deportation proceedings for all affected persons.
Individuals currently possessing pending asylum cases would experience a reclassification of their legal status rather than immediate removal from the country. However, they would forfeit their privileges as authorized business or tourism travelers. This policy aligns with the broader immigration enforcement agenda pursued by President Donald Trump during his second term in office.
The administration has progressively tightened border and visa controls through expanded social media screening, mandatory bond requirements, and targeted bans on citizens from specific nations. Earlier this month, the State Department separately revoked more than one hundred seventy-five thousand visas citing alleged criminal violations or national security concerns. Rights organizations have continuously criticized these rigorous measures, arguing that they undermine due process and restrict lawful migration pathways.
Legal experts anticipate that the planned mass revocation will encounter significant challenges in federal courts. Advocacy groups have already mobilized against several recent executive actions targeting birthright citizenship and visa restrictions. Meanwhile, the administration maintains that tightening visa protocols is essential for safeguarding national borders and preventing misuse of the immigration system.
The Department of Homeland Security has also proposed substantial fee increases for specialized employment visas, further compounding the financial barriers facing foreign workers. As administrative and legal battles unfold, the future landscape of American immigration policy remains deeply uncertain for applicants worldwide.
