US to Revoke Visas of 200,000 Asylum Seekers

The United States government is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of as many as 200,000 foreigners who have sought or are seeking asylum, marking a potential historic mass visa revocation. This action will specifically target holders of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 who entered the US as short-term visitors but later applied for asylum.

The State Department, in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security, is expected to announce these revocations in the coming weeks. State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed the action, noting that the number of affected individuals may change.

The revocations will not lead to immediate deportation; instead, individuals with pending asylum applications will lose their B1 or B2 status while their cases are reviewed. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau defended the policy, stating that visitor visas should not be misused to enter the US asylum system.

The proposed revocation could significantly impact Nigerians, who have historically made up a large portion of African asylum applications in the US.