The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump is planning to revoke nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who have sought asylum or applied for asylum in the country. The U.S. State Department announced this.
It was noted that the State Department and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security are working to identify foreigners who entered the country as short-term visitors and subsequently sought asylum, and to revoke their visas.
The Department has not yet specified how many visas may be revoked. However, according to Associated Press, this measure could affect up to 200,000 foreigners. If this figure is confirmed, it would be the largest visa revocation process carried out at one time in U.S. history.
The discussion is mainly about B1 and B2 type visas issued in 2016–2026. B1 visas are issued for business trips, while B2 visas are issued for tourism and temporary visits.
Visa revocation does not mean the person will be immediately deported. Persons whose asylum applications are being reviewed may retain their legal status in the U.S., but their visas issued for business trips or tourism purposes will be revoked.
The U.S. State Department announced earlier this month that it had revoked more than 175,000 visas since the Trump administration took office.
The Trump administration is intensifying anti-immigration measures, pursuing a policy of revoking visas and "green cards" that grant permanent residency, as well as increasing deportations.
The administration explains these measures by the need to ensure the country's national security. Human rights organizations, meanwhile, have expressed concern that the Trump administration's immigration policy may encroach on due process and civil liberties.
