Archive · 26 Aug 2026
Trump Administration Plans Large-Scale Visa Revocations Targeting Asylum Seekers
The Trump administration plans to cancel about 200,000 visas held by people who entered the United States as visitors and later sought asylum.
B1 visas are generally for business trips, while B2 visas are for tourism, family visits, or medical care.
Officials say some people used visitor visas because they wanted to stay in the country permanently.
They argue that this can be fraud and a misuse of the asylum system.
The planned review would include visas issued between 2016 and 2026.
The administration says it is working with the Department of Homeland Security on the effort.
Officials also say more than 175,000 visas have already been revoked for different reasons.
They say asylum should protect people facing persecution, not help people avoid normal immigration rules.
The article does not say when the planned revocations will be completed.
The Trump administration is preparing to revoke about 200,000 B1 and B2 visas held by asylum seekers.
The proposed action would cover visas issued from 2016 through 2026 to people who applied for or are seeking asylum.
The State Department says it is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify affected visa holders.
Officials argue that entering as a short-term visitor and later seeking asylum constitutes fraud and misuses the asylum system.
The State Department says more than 175,000 visas have already been revoked on various grounds during Trump’s second term.
- Who
- The Trump administration, the United States Department of State, and the Department of Homeland Security are involved; affected individuals are asylum seekers holding B1 or B2 visas.
- What
- Officials are preparing to revoke approximately 200,000 B1 and B2 visas held by people who entered as visitors and later applied for or sought asylum.
- When
- The visas targeted were issued between 2016 and 2026; the administration’s broader visa actions have occurred since Donald Trump began his second term in 2025.
- Where
- The action concerns visas used to enter and remain in the United States.
- Why
- Administration officials say obtaining a visitor visa to seek asylum is fraud and represents misuse of the asylum system.
- Planned revocations
- Approximately 200,000 B1 and B2 visas
- Visa categories
- B1 business visas; B2 tourism, family-visit, or medical-treatment visas
- Visa period under review
- Visas issued from 2016 through 2026
- Affected applicants
- People who have applied for asylum or are currently seeking asylum
- Agencies involved
- United States Department of State and Department of Homeland Security
- Previous revocations
- More than 175,000 visas revoked on various grounds, according to the State Department
- Administration rationale
- Officials describe using visitor visas to seek asylum as fraud and misuse of the asylum system