US Prepares Mass Revocation of up to Two Lakh B1 and B2 Visas Over Asylum Claims
The United States administration led by Donald Trump is preparing to cancel the business and tourism visas of up to 2,00,000 foreign nationals who have sought or are actively seeking asylum in the country. If implemented without revisions or legal challenges, the measure could mark the largest single mass visa revocation in US history.
What Happened
According to State Department documents and US officials cited in a report by news agency AP, the planned revocation targets B1 and B2 nonimmigrant visas issued between 2016 and 2026. The action specifically focuses on individuals who entered or planned to visit the US on short-term visas but subsequently submitted asylum applications to remain in the country permanently.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the department is actively coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to locate and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of individuals who arrived claiming to be temporary visitors before seeking asylum. Pigott noted that because the procedure will be ongoing and carried out on a rolling basis, the exact number of revocations remains dynamic and cannot be definitively confirmed.
Key Highlights
- Targeted Visas: The revocation plan focuses on B1 visas (issued for business travel) and B2 visas (issued for tourism, family visits, and medical treatment) granted between 2016 and 2026.
- Scale of Action: Up to two lakh (2,00,000) visa holders could be affected, though the exact number of current and former visitors who filed for asylum remains dynamic.
- Immediate Legal Status: Officials stated that a revocation will not automatically trigger immediate deportation. Individuals with active asylum applications will still be permitted to pursue their legal claims, but their underlying visitor status will be voided.
- Previous Enforcement Measures: The administration has already revoked roughly 1,75,000 visas over the preceding 18 months, covering individuals accused or convicted of offences such as robbery, rape, and drunken driving, as well as persons who publicly opposed US policies.
- Broader Policy Shifts: The proposed move follows other immigration measures instituted during President Donald Trump’s second term, such as heightened social media reviews, visa bond requirements, and visa restrictions on specific nations.
Why This Matters
This action signals a major administrative shift directly connecting the use of temporary nonimmigrant entry categories with subsequent protection applications. B1 and B2 visas are explicitly designated for temporary travel, such as business consultations, medical care, and vacations. By revoking visitor visas for those seeking asylum, US authorities are formally decoupling asylum applicants from their underlying visitor privileges while their protection claims remain pending.
What to Watch Next
The US State Department is expected to formally announce the policy in the coming weeks, provided the measure is not revised or halted by legal challenges. Officials will carry out the revocations on a rolling basis in conjunction with the Department of Homeland Security.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the revocation mean immediate deportation for affected individuals?
No. According to US officials, visa revocation does not automatically result in immediate deportation. Applicants with pending asylum proceedings will retain their ability to pursue those protection claims in the US, but they will lose their formal status as business or tourism visitors.
Which visa categories are being targeted?
The initiative targets B1 business visas and B2 tourism visas issued between the years 2016 and 2026 to holders who have applied for or are actively seeking asylum.
How many visas have recently been cancelled by the administration?
Over the past 18 months, the administration has revoked approximately 1,75,000 visas for various reasons, including criminal convictions or accusations—such as drunken driving, robbery, and rape—and public opposition to US policies.
Source: Times of India via AP reporting and US State Department statements.