The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the B1 and B2 visas of up to 200,000 foreign nationals who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the United States, according to media reports.
If implemented, the move could become the largest single mass visa revocation in US history and may face legal challenges.
According to reports citing State Department documents and US officials, the proposed action could affect B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who entered the United States as short-term visitors and later sought asylum.
The US State Department is reportedly coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify affected visa holders. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said authorities were working to revoke non-immigrant visas of people who entered the country as short-term visitors but later applied for asylum.
Officials said the proposed visa revocations would not necessarily result in immediate deportation. People with pending asylum cases could reportedly be placed under a different immigration status while losing their classification as business or tourist travellers.
B1 visas are generally issued for business-related travel, while B2 visas are commonly used for tourism, family visits and medical treatment.
The number of people ultimately affected remains unclear. The proposed revocations are expected to be carried out on a rolling basis and could change as the process develops, according to media reports.
The development comes as the Trump administration continues to tighten immigration and visa rules. Recent measures have reportedly included increased scrutiny of visa applicants, including social media checks, visa bonds and restrictions affecting citizens of certain countries.
The proposed action has not yet been finalised, and its implementation could face legal challenges.
