Trump Administration Plans Mass Revocation of B1 and B2 Visas for Asylum Seekers

The United States administration is preparing to revoke up to 200,000 B1 business and B2 tourism visas held by foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the country. According to State Department documents and U.S. officials, the action is being conducted in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.

If implemented as planned, the move would constitute the largest single mass revocation of visas in U.S. history and is expected to face legal challenges. The State Department is anticipated to announce the revocations in the coming weeks for visas issued between 2016 and 2026.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated that the agency is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and revoke nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who entered the U.S. as short-term visitors but subsequently filed for permanent status through asylum. Pigott noted that the exact number of revocations remains dynamic and will be processed on a rolling basis.

Officials indicated that the revocations would not automatically result in immediate deportation. Instead, most individuals with pending asylum cases would have their status recategorized while losing their standing as business or tourism travelers.

The administration has steadily increased restrictions on visa applicants since President Donald Trump took office for his second term. Measures have included demands for social media histories, requirements for expensive processing bonds, and targeted bans on citizens from specific countries. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau addressed the issue on social media, criticizing the use of tourist and business visas as a method to circumvent standard immigration procedures.

B1 visas are designated for business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits, and medical care. Current applicants for these visas are required to affirm that they will not apply for asylum and must demonstrate an intent to return to their home countries.

Over the past 18 months, the State Department has independently revoked approximately 175,000 visas for individuals convicted or accused of crimes, as well as for people who have publicly criticized U.S. policies. The administration has also targeted birth tourism practices, though previous attempts by President Trump to end birthright citizenship have faced rejections in the courts, including the Supreme Court.

Documents obtained from the State Department suggest that the screening process for current B1 and B2 visa holders was initiated after receiving data regarding asylum requests from the Citizenship and Immigration Service.

"Changes in U.S. visa policies and stricter immigration enforcement directly impact global mobility, international business travel, and cross-border talent deployment. Companies and entrepreneurs operating internationally must closely monitor regulatory shifts, as evolving compliance standards and potential legal challenges can introduce operational uncertainties for organizations relying on international personnel." — Dr. Shishir Gupta, Founder & CEO, StartupLanes