State Department targets asylum seekers in mass visa cancellation
The US State Department plans to revoke business and tourism visas for foreigners who applied for asylum after entering the country. The move could affect up to 200,000 people, which would be the largest such revocation in US history. The action is part of the administration's broader immigration crackdown.
The State Department is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and revoke B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for holders who later filed for asylum. Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau described the asylum system as overwhelmed by frivolous claims, while the administration has already revoked over 175,000 visas this term. Rights groups have criticized the broader crackdown for violating due process and creating risks of racial profiling, and the measures have drawn legal challenges.
The revocation would not automatically trigger deportation, but would reclassify affected individuals, stripping their business or tourism status while their asylum cases remain pending. This action follows a pattern of tightening both illegal and legal immigration, including new fees for certain work visas. The administration frames these steps as domestic security improvements, though critics argue they undermine established legal pathways and procedural protections.
This move could affect up to 200,000 people, potentially disrupting lives and legal statuses of individuals who entered lawfully but later sought protection. It may deter future asylum claims, strain immigration courts, and deepen community fears among ethnic minorities. While framed as security, it could also burden consular systems and invite prolonged litigation, shaping how vulnerable populations view U.S. asylum policy.