Trump Admin Plans To Revoke Up To 2 Lakh Tourist and Business Visas Over Asylum Claims
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
Summarized by AI; it may make mistakes. Check important info
The Donald Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 2 lakh foreign nationals who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States, according to a report by The Associated Press (AP).
The proposed move, if implemented, would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history, AP reported, citing State Department documents and two US officials.
B1, B2 Visa Holders Could Be Targeted
According to the AP report, the State Department is expected to announce in the coming weeks the revocation of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 whose holders have sought or are currently seeking asylum in the US.
B1 visas are generally issued for business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits and medical travel. The action is expected to be coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security.
The report said the visa revocations would not necessarily result in immediate deportation. People with pending asylum cases could instead lose their status as business or tourism visitors and be re-categorised under US immigration rules.
US Official Calls Asylum System ‘Swamped’
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticised what he described as the misuse of the asylum system.
In a social media post, Landau said people were using tourist and business visas to enter the US and subsequently file asylum claims to remain in the country permanently.
The State Department has also said that it has revoked more than 175,000 visas under the Trump administration. The department said those cancellations involved people who violated visa terms, committed crimes, defrauded Americans, called for violence or posed national-security concerns.
Rights Groups Raise Concerns
The latest proposed action comes as the Trump administration continues its broader immigration crackdown.
Rights groups have criticised several elements of the administration's immigration policies, arguing that some measures threaten due-process and free-speech protections and could disproportionately affect minorities. The proposed mass revocations are also expected to face legal challenges if implemented.
