US set for largest mass visa revocation in history targeting up to 200,000 foreigners, officials say

WASHINGTON (AP) – The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200, 000 foreigners who have applied for or are at present seeking asylum status in the United States.

What happened

Unless challenged or revised, the State Department is projected to announce in the coming weeks the revocation of so-called B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 whose holders have sought asylum or are now seeking asylum, according to State Department documents obtained by The Associated Press and two U.S. Office-holders. The action will be taken in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.

"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, " remarked State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott.

The bottom line

For now, US set for largest mass visa revocation in history targeting up to remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.