US to revoke visas of nearly 200,000 asylum seekers
USA Bureau
The United States Department of State, in a major policy shift, is moving to revoke the visas of nearly 200,000 immigrants who entered the country on B-1/B-2 tourist and business visas and subsequently applied for political or humanitarian asylum, according to an Associated Press report.
As part of efforts to tighten US immigration policies, the State Department is implementing this decision in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). The crackdown primarily targets individuals who utilized visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to file asylum claims.
"We are working with Homeland Security to identify and revoke the visas of those who came as short-term visitors but subsequently applied for asylum with the intent of permanent settlement," said State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott, adding that final figures will be determined by ongoing evaluations.
US administration officials clarified that visa revocation does not equate to immediate deportation. Individuals whose asylum applications remain pending in immigration courts may have their legal status reclassified, though they will lose their legal standing as temporary visitors.
Meanwhile, Assistant Secretary of State Christopher Landau stated that the primary objective of this measure is to close loopholes that allow tourist or commercial visas to bypass standard immigration laws. However, immigration attorneys note that the decision to revoke visas en masse is likely to face significant legal challenges in US federal courts.
