President Donald Trump recently participated in a roundtable discussing the American mining industry at the State Department. Meanwhile, his administration is taking significant steps concerning visa holders in the U.S.
The administration plans to revoke business and tourism visas for up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum. This would be the largest revocation of visas in U.S. history, likely prompting legal challenges.
The State Department expects to announce the revocation of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026. These visa holders either have or are seeking asylum, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press and details from two U.S. officials.
Coordination will occur with the Department of Homeland Security. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated they aim to identify and revoke visas of foreigners, initially visiting temporarily, who then filed for asylum. He refrained from specifying the number of visas affected, noting the ongoing nature of the process.
The revocation won’t result immediately in deportation. Current asylum applicants may lose their business or tourism traveler status, according to anonymous officials.
Since President Trump’s second term began, his administration has increased visa restrictions, including social media history checks, visa processing bonds, and bans on certain countries’ citizens.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau recently criticized individuals misusing visas for asylum claims. He expressed dissatisfaction with false asylum claims and suggested that asylum shouldn’t be exploited to bypass immigration laws.
His comments referenced a Colombian citizen’s case from 2015 involving a tourist visa followed by an asylum application.
B1 visas typically cover business trips, while B2 visas apply to tourism, family visits, or medical care. It’s unclear how many visa holders seeking asylum might be affected.
Current B1 and B2 visa applicants must affirm their intention not to pursue asylum and prove plans to return to their home countries.
In recent months, the State Department has revoked around 175,000 visas for criminal convictions, alleged crimes, and public opposition to U.S. policies.
The administration also targets “birth tourism,” claiming some foreign women exploit this to secure birthright citizenship for their children. Trump has attempted to end birthright citizenship, but court decisions, including from the Supreme Court, have rejected such moves.
Report documents suggest visa screenings began following asylum-related information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.