US set for largest mass visa revocation in history

Key Points:

• The Trump administration plans to revoke business (B1) and tourism (B2) visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the U.S., marking the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history.
• The revocations will target visas issued between 2016 and 2026 and will be coordinated between the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security, with affected individuals losing their short-term visitor status but not necessarily facing immediate deportation.
• This move follows increased visa restrictions under the Trump administration, including demands for social media information, visa bond requirements, and bans on citizens from certain countries, alongside efforts to crack down on "birth tourism" and fraudulent asylum claims.
• Current B1 and B2 visa applicants must affirm they will not seek asylum and prove intent to return home, while the administration has already revoked about 175,000 visas in the past 18 months for criminal convictions or political reasons.
• The policy aims to prevent misuse of tourist and business visas as a loophole for permanent residency through asylum claims, a stance publicly supported by Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau.