The Trump administration is reportedly readying to revoke the business and tourism visas of as many as 200,000 foreigners in what could be the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history.
The revocations will target the holders of B1 and B2 visas, issued between 2016 and 2026, who have sought or are currently seeking asylum, the Associated Press reported on Monday, citing State Department documents and US officials.
B1 visas are generally issued for business travelers, while B2 visas are typically given to tourists or foreigners visiting for family or traveling to receive medical care in the US.
The State Department is expected to formally announce the revocations, which will be coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), in the “coming weeks.”
“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,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told the outlet.
Pigott declined to comment on the number of visas that might be revoked, describing the process as “ongoing,” “dynamic,” and one that will be done “on a rolling basis.”
Those who have their visas revoked will not necessarily be deported right away, US officials indicated, but they would immediately lose their status as business or tourism travelers.
The move, which is expected to face legal challenges, would be President Trump’s latest to tighten the US visa process.
The Trump administration has previously moved to investigate applicants’ social media histories, require bonds for the processing of visas and banned the issuance of visas to citizens of certain countries.
Since the start of Trump’s second term, the State Department has revoked about 175,000 visas for people convicted or accused of criminal activity or who have spoken out publicly against US policies.
