US plans to revoke business, tourism visas of 200,000 asylum seekers

For context, the United States is preparing to cancel business and tourism visas of up to 200, 000 foreigners who have applied for or are seeking asylum in the country, according to the Associated Press news agency.

Key points

• It would target so-called B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026, whose holders have sought asylum or are now seeking asylum.
• It remarked the State Department is anticipated to announce the action within the coming weeks, working in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
• "People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims, " Landau wrote on X.
• Authorities cited by the AP stated the revocations would not automatically trigger deportations.
• Instead, most individuals with pending asylum cases would be shifted into a different immigration category, effectively stripping their business or tourist designation while their cases proceed.

Meanwhile, the AP, citing State Department documents and interviews with two US authorities, noted on Monday that if the plan goes ahead, it would be the "largest single mass revocation of visas" in the country's history.

"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.

In a social media post on Monday, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau called out individuals who he stated try to employ tourist and business visas to secure into the US and then apply for asylum.

"People in the US and all over the world are fed up with bogus asylum claims, " Landau wrote on X. "Asylum isn't supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law."

Since President Donald Trump took office for his second term last year, his administration has steadily ramped up restrictions on visa applicants – demanding more information regarding their social media histories, requiring the posting of expensive bonds for the processing of visas, and outright banning the issuance of visas to citizens of certain countries.

As well as for residents who have spoken out publicly against US policies, particularly in the Middle East, previously 18 months, the State Department has additionally revoked concerning 175, 000 visas for individuals who have been convicted or accused of crimes ranging from drunk driving to rape and robbery.

In short, US plans to revoke business, tourism visas of 200, 000 asylum seekers is the central thread here, and readers can expect follow-up reporting as the picture becomes clearer.