---
title: "US to revoke visas of 200K asylum seekers"
url: https://www.hereclemson.com/2026/08/25/us-mass-visa-revocation-asylum-seekers/
date: 2026-08-25T10:25:42+00:00
modified: 2026-08-25T10:25:42+00:00
author: "Ella Corona"
categories: ["Politics"]
site: "HERE Clemson"
attribution: "HERE Clemson"
---

# US to revoke visas of 200K asylum seekers

*Source: [HERE Clemson](https://www.hereclemson.com/2026/08/25/us-mass-visa-revocation-asylum-seekers/) — August 25, 2026 by Ella Corona*

The U.S. government is preparing for what could be the largest mass revocation of visas in the nation’s history, potentially affecting up to 200,000 foreign nationals who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States. This development, anticipated to be announced by the State Department in the coming weeks, focuses on B1 business and B2 tourism visas issued between 2016 and 2026.

State Department documents indicate that the revocations will target individuals who entered the U.S. on these nonimmigrant visas but subsequently filed for asylum. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed coordination with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and revoke visas of those claiming to be short-term visitors who then seek permanent residency through asylum. Pigott noted the number of revocations remains dynamic and will occur on a rolling basis.

Officials, speaking anonymously due to the preliminary nature of the action, clarified that these revocations would not necessarily lead to immediate deportation. Instead, most individuals with pending asylum cases would lose their business or tourism traveler status and be recategorized. The move is expected to face legal challenges.

Since President Donald Trump’s second term began last year, his administration has increased restrictions on visa applicants. These measures include demands for more social media history, requirements for expensive bonds, and outright bans on visa issuance for citizens of certain countries. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau recently stated on social media that people are tired of what he termed bogus asylum claims, asserting that asylum is not intended as a loophole to circumvent immigration law. He cited a 2015 case involving a Colombian citizen who entered on a tourist visa and then applied for asylum.

B1 visas are typically for business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits, or medical care. It is not yet clear how many current visa holders seeking asylum will be impacted. Current B1 and B2 visa applicants must affirm they will not apply for asylum and demonstrate intent to return to their home countries. In the past 18 months, the State Department has revoked approximately 175,000 visas for individuals convicted or accused of crimes, or for those who have publicly criticized U.S. policies, particularly in the Middle East. The administration has also addressed birth tourism, a practice it claims foreign pregnant women use to secure birthright citizenship for their children, though court challenges to end birthright citizenship have been rejected, including by the Supreme Court. Screening of current B1 and B2 visa holders reportedly began after the State Department received asylum request information from the Citizen and Immigration Service.