The United States is set to revoke a record number of visas—up to 200,000—issued to foreigners who have applied for asylum. This would be the largest visa revocation in the country's history, according to infohub.kz.
According to ABC News, the Trump administration is preparing to revoke business and tourist visas from foreigners who have either already filed for asylum or are in the process of doing so. If this happens, such a mass revocation would be unprecedented in U.S. history and is likely to spark legal challenges.
The State Department is expected to announce in the coming weeks the cancellation of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026. The move will be carried out in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said: "We are coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and revoke nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who came to the United States claiming short-term stays and then filed for asylum to remain permanently."
Officials noted that visa revocation will not necessarily lead to immediate deportation. Most individuals with pending asylum cases will be transferred to another category but will lose their business or tourist traveler status.