The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners, including Khalistanis, who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States, in what could become the largest mass visa revocation in US history.
As per reports, the proposed action would target B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who entered the country as business or tourism visitors before seeking asylum, according to State Department documents obtained by the Associated Press and two US officials. The State Department is coordinating the process with the Department of Homeland Security.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed to AAP that the administration was identifying affected visa holders, saying the revocations would be carried out on a rolling basis. He did not confirm the potential figure of 200,000.
“We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who have come to the United States claiming to be short-term visitors, but then file for asylum to stay here permanently.”
The revocations would not necessarily result in immediate deportation. Officials said many people with pending asylum claims could be recategorised but would lose their B1 or B2 visitor status.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has defended the move, accusing some visa holders of using the asylum system to circumvent immigration laws.
“People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims,” Landau wrote on X.
“Asylum isn’t supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration laws; rather, it’s supposed to provide a narrow safe harbor for persons persecuted because of their ‘race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion’.”
Landau argued that the US asylum system had long been “swamped by frivolous asylum claims”, contributing to lengthy delays in deciding whether applicants genuinely qualify for protection.
He said that while cases remain unresolved, applicants can typically work, have children and establish roots in the United States.
As per reports, the proposed crackdown is part of a broader Trump administration effort to tighten immigration controls. The administration has increased scrutiny of visa applicants, including demands for social-media information, introduced visa-bond requirements for some applicants and restricted visa issuance for citizens of certain countries.
The State Department says it has revoked about 175,000 visas over the past 18 months involving people accused or convicted of offences as well as some cases involving public opposition to US policies.
B1 visas are generally issued for business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits and certain medical purposes.
The proposed mass revocations are expected to face legal challenges if formally implemented.
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