US to Cancel Over 200,000 Visitor Visas of Asylum Seekers in Historic Move
The US plans to revoke up to 200,000 B1 and B2 visas issued since 2016 to foreigners who filed asylum claims, marking its largest visa cancellation to date.
By John Mtongoi Newsroom
August 25, 2026
2 min read
The United States government is set to revoke more than 200,000 business and tourist visas held by foreign nationals who have applied for asylum between 2016 and 2026. This action represents the largest mass visa cancellation in US history.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed that the State Department is working closely with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify and cancel the B1 and B2 visas of individuals who initially entered the country as short-term visitors but later sought asylum to remain permanently.
Visa Categories and Impact
- The revocations specifically target B1 (business) and B2 (tourist) visas issued within the last decade.
- Those affected will lose their visitor visa status but will not face automatic deportation.
- Individuals with pending asylum claims will be reclassified under a different immigration status while their cases are processed.
Background and Reactions
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau highlighted on social media the strain caused by what he described as numerous frivolous asylum claims, emphasizing that asylum should not be used to bypass immigration laws.
Under the Trump administration, similar visa revocations have already affected over 175,000 foreign nationals this month, reflecting a broader crackdown on immigration enforcement. This includes visa and green card cancellations alongside deportation efforts aimed at enhancing national security.
However, civil rights organizations have criticized these measures, pointing to potential violations of due process and concerns over racial profiling, especially among ethnic minorities disproportionately impacted by enforcement actions.
