US plans to revoke tourism and business visas of up to 200,000 foreigners, AP reports

• The US plans to revoke business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum, marking the largest visa revocation in US history.
• The revocation targets B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026, coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security, but does not mean immediate deportation.
• The move follows claims that the asylum system is overwhelmed by frivolous cases, sparking criticism from rights groups over due process and racial profiling concerns.

WASHINGTON - President Donald Trump’s administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum status in the United States, the Associated Press reported on Aug 24.

The report cited State Department documents obtained by AP and two US officials.

If the move materialised, it would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history, according to AP.

The State Department is expected to announce in the coming weeks the revocation of so-called B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 whose holders have sought asylum or are now seeking asylum, the report added, saying the action will be coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security.

The B1 and B2 visas are issued for business and tourism travel.

The visa revocations would not necessarily result in immediate deportation, the AP report said, citing officials.

Most of those with asylum cases currently pending would be re-categorised but would lose their status as business or tourism travellers, the report said.

Earlier on Aug 24, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau alleged on X that the American immigration system “has long been swamped by frivolous asylum claims.”

The DHS referred questions to the State Department, which did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The State Department said earlier this month it has revoked more than 175,000 visas from foreign nationals under the Trump administration.

Trump has pursued an aggressive immigration crackdown that he says is aimed at improving domestic security.

Rights groups say the crackdown has violated free speech and due process rights and created an unsafe environment, particularly for ethnic minorities, who have raised concerns about racial profiling. REUTERS