US to revoke visas of short-term visitors seeking asylum

US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott stated that obtaining a visa to seek asylum constitutes fraud, which is grounds for revocation. He added that the number of revocations is dynamic and will be implemented on a rolling basis, with US media reports suggesting hundreds of thousands of visas could be affected. Since President Donald Trump took office, over 175,000 visas have been revoked on various grounds.

Pigott emphasized that a visa is a privilege, not a right, and that the department is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and revoke nonimmigrant visas of those who claimed to be short-term visitors but then filed for asylum. These B1 and B2 visas are issued with the understanding that holders intend to return home and pledge not to apply for asylum in the US. The Associated Press, citing State Department documents, reported that visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to those who have sought or are seeking asylum will be revoked.

In 2024, the majority of business and tourism visas were issued to citizens from Brazil, mainland China, India, and Pakistan. This action follows a US judge striking down Trump's visa ban covering 75 countries, ruling it exceeded the Secretary of State Marco Rubio's authority, and another judge ruling against efforts to halt immigration application processing from 39