AP reports US plans to revoke visas of 200,000 asylum seekers
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The U.S. State Department is preparing to revoke B1 and B2 visas of about 200,000 foreigners who sought asylum, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press and two officials. Those affected would not face immediate deportation but would lose their status as business or tourist visitors. The move follows the revocation of 175,000 visas in the past 18 months for crimes or public opposition to U.S. policy.
Key Facts
- The U.S. State Department plans to revoke B1 and B2 visas of about 200,000 foreigners who applied for asylum between 2016 and 2026, according to AP.
- Those affected would not be immediately deported, but most would be reclassified and lose their status as business or tourist visitors.
- In the past 18 months, the State Department revoked about 175,000 visas for crimes ranging from drunk driving to rape and robbery, or for public opposition to U.S. policy, especially in the Middle East.
- State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said the number of revocations would remain dynamic and be carried out gradually.
Visa Revocation Plan
The U.S. State Department is preparing to revoke B1 and B2 visas of about 200,000 foreigners who sought asylum, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press and two officials familiar with the matter. The review covers visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to individuals who have applied for asylum or are currently in the asylum process. Officials said those affected would not face immediate deportation, but most would be reclassified and lose their status as business or tourist visitors. The State Department began reviewing existing B1 and B2 visa holders after receiving asylum application information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Recent Revocations
In the past 18 months, the State Department revoked about 175,000 visas for crimes ranging from drunk driving to rape and robbery, or for public opposition to U.S. policy, especially in the Middle East. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott declined to provide a specific number of visas that could be revoked. Pigott said the department is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and revoke nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who entered as short-term visitors but later applied for asylum to remain permanently. He added that the revocation process would be gradual and the number would remain dynamic.
3 sources
AP reports US plans to revoke visas of 200,000 asylum seekers
