Trump administration to cancel visas of 200,000 asylum seekers

The US administration is preparing to cancel business and tourist visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the United States. The information was reported by the Associated Press (AP) .

According to AP, citing State Department documents and interviews with two US officials, the plan, if implemented, would be the largest single visa cancellation in US history. An announcement could come in the coming weeks .

The plan targets B-1 and B-2 visa holders issued between 2016 and 2026 who have applied for asylum or are currently seeking asylum in the US. A State Department spokesperson said they are coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify and cancel non-immigrant visas of foreigners who entered the US as short-term visitors and later applied for asylum to stay permanently .

However, officials said the cancellation would not result in automatic deportation. Those whose asylum applications are under review will be moved to a different immigration category, which would revoke the benefits they received as tourists or business visitors during their case processing .

In a social media post, State Department Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau criticised those who enter the US on tourist or business visas and then apply for asylum, calling the system a "loophole" that should not be used to bypass immigration laws .

Since President Donald Trump took office for a second term, the administration has gradually tightened restrictions on visa applicants, requiring more information on social media activity, introducing costly bond requirements and banning visas for citizens of certain countries .

In the past 18 months, the State Department has cancelled approximately 175,000 visas, including those of individuals convicted or charged with crimes ranging from drunk driving to rape and robbery, as well as those who have publicly criticised US policies, particularly regarding the Middle East .

Source: AP