U.S. Department of State plans mass revocation of 200,000 visas

The U.S. Department of State is planning to coordinate with the Department of Homeland Security to revoke business and tourist visas (B1 and B2) for up to 200,000 foreign nationals who have applied for asylum. If implemented, this would represent the largest single collective visa revocation in U.S. history.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the agency is targeting individuals who enter as short-term visitors but subsequently seek asylum to obtain permanent residency. The revocation process is expected to be conducted in batches and is described as an ongoing procedure. Officials noted that revoking a visa does not necessarily result in immediate deportation, but rather a reclassification of the individual's status.

This move follows an 18-month period in which the administration has already revoked approximately 175,000 visas involving criminal convictions or individuals who have criticized U.S. policies. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticized the use of travel visas to bypass immigration laws, stating that asylum should not serve as a loophole.