The Trump administration is preparing to make a huge move as part of its push to enforce immigration law that will set new records as the business and tourism visas of over 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum status in the U.S. are about to be revoked. If this happens, it would be the largest single mass revocation of visas in the country’s history.
And that means it will assuredly face a number of legal challenges. The State Department is expected to announce the revocation of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 whose holders have sought asylum or are seeking it now, in the coming weeks. News of the announcement was made in documents that were obtained by the Associated Press.
“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,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott told the media. When asked about the number of visas that could be revoked, he declined to elaborate.
The only thing he would say is that the process would be ongoing and that the “number of revocations remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis.” According to a report from the Associated Press, the revocations do not mean that these individuals will be immediately deported. Most individuals with asylum cases currently pending would be recategorized.
They will lose their status as business or tourism travelers, officials told the AP under condition of anonymity, due to the revocations not being final yet. Ever since President Donald Trump was sworn into office in January 2025, his administration has been ramping up on restrictions for visa applicants. Part of that involves asking for more information about their social media histories, requiring the posting of expensive bonds for the processing of visas, and banning the issuance of visas to individuals coming from specific countries.
A post on social media platform X revealed some staggering figures related to the push to revoke visas. “In the 14 years after 9/11, from 2001 to 2015, the U.S. only revoked 122,000 visas. Since taking office, the Trump admin has revoked more than 175,000 visas. Just 18 months. Targeting 200,000 more foreigners on top of that is a huge, unprecedented escalation,” the user wrote.
In the 14 years after 9/11, from 2001 to 2015, the U.S. only revoked 122,000 visas.
Since taking office, the Trump admin has revoked more than 175,000 visas. Just 18 months. Targeting 200,000 more foreigners on top of that is a huge, unprecendented escalation. https://t.co/M75nYCs8hL pic.twitter.com/TXfYWIRLTO
— Prowler (@derzum_) August 25, 2026
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Conservatives and die-hard MAGA supporters in the comment section were in favor of the Trump administration’s drive to revoke the visas. “This is great, I love moving in the right direction. Although, I feel like we shouldn’t be rewarding any visas right now? What say you? Is that even realistic?” One person asked.
The original poster replied to the comment, “The U.S. doesn’t have a direct way to suspend all visa issuance and approval but the president and state dept have tools to restrict entry and processing, like the current 39 country travel ban and the (currently blocked) 75 country visa pause. The hard part is just litigation.”