The State Department is preparing to revoke tourist and business visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to foreign nationals who have sought or are actively seeking asylum in the United States, a move that officials anticipate could lead to the cancellation of tens of thousands of travel documents. The revocations are expected to occur on a rolling basis, with internal estimates suggesting the number could reach or exceed 200,000.
State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott stated that the department, under the Trump administration and Secretary Rubio, is making it clear that a visa is a privilege, not a right. "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," Pigott said in a statement. He added that such visas are issued with the understanding that holders intend to return to their home countries, and obtaining a visa for the purpose of seeking asylum constitutes fraud, which is grounds for revocation.
Deputy Secretary of State Chris Landau echoed these sentiments on social media, writing on X that "People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims" and that "Asylum isn't supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law."
Individuals applying for tourist and business visas are currently asked to confirm their intent to return to their countries of origin and that they will not apply for asylum. The State Department's plans were initially reported by the Associated Press. It remains unclear whether any foreign nationals will be removed from the U.S. as a result of these visa cancellations. For those with active asylum applications, their claims must be adjudicated and denied before removal proceedings can commence.