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The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing to revoke the B1 and B2 visitor visas of foreign nationals who entered the United States for business or tourism before subsequently applying for asylum, according to US officials and documents cited in reports.
The proposed action could affect as many as 200,000 people, although the US Department of State stressed that the figure is not final and could change as the process progresses.
B1 visas are issued primarily for temporary business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism and other short-term visits. The proposed revocations would reportedly target visas issued between 2016 and 2026 where holders later filed asylum applications or currently have asylum claims pending.
State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed that the department was working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the planned action.
“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.
He added that the number of affected individuals remained uncertain because the revocations would be carried out progressively.
“As the process will be ongoing, the number of revocations remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis,” he said.
The planned cancellation of the visitor visas would not automatically result in the immediate deportation of everyone affected.
Officials cited in reports said some individuals with pending asylum applications could have their immigration status recategorised after their B1 or B2 visas are revoked.
The Trump administration has argued that some foreign nationals have used temporary visitor visas to enter the country legally before filing asylum claims that enable them to remain in the US for extended periods.
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The proposed policy is therefore aimed at people who initially entered the country under temporary visitor status but later sought protection through the US asylum system.
The move forms part of a broader immigration enforcement drive under the Trump administration, which has introduced tighter screening and additional restrictions affecting foreign nationals.
Measures introduced in recent months include increased scrutiny of visa applicants, including examination of social media activity, as well as visa-bond requirements for nationals of certain countries.
Nigeria is among the countries listed by the US State Department as subject to visa bonds, with the requirement taking effect on January 21, 2026.
The administration has also temporarily paused immigrant visa appointments globally while consular officers undergo additional training intended to strengthen applicant screening.
The proposed visa revocations are likely to attract legal challenges, particularly because applying for asylum is a separate immigration process from obtaining a temporary visitor visa.
For foreign nationals who entered the US legally on B1 or B2 visas before seeking asylum, questions could arise over the government’s authority to revoke their visitor visas while their asylum cases remain unresolved.
The consequences of such revocations for pending asylum applications are also expected to become an important issue if the policy proceeds.
For now, the State Department has not announced a definitive number of visas that will be cancelled or provided a comprehensive timetable. Officials have indicated that any revocations will be implemented on a rolling basis.
