WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States, in what would mark the largest single mass visa revocation in U.S. history if fully implemented.

The State Department is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and cancel nonimmigrant B-1 (business) and B-2 (tourism) visas issued between 2016 and 2026 whose holders later filed for asylum or are now pursuing claims, according to State Department documents and U.S. officials cited by the Associated Press.

“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,” State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said. He noted that the number of revocations remains dynamic and will proceed on a rolling basis.

Officials emphasized that the revocations would not necessarily lead to immediate deportation. Most individuals with pending asylum cases would be recategorized and lose their status as business or tourism travelers, though they could continue pursuing their asylum claims.

“Asylum isn’t supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law.” Christopher Landau, Deputy Secretary of State

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau criticized what he described as abuse of the system, writing on X that the immigration system “has long been swamped by frivolous asylum claims.”

The move fits into the broader immigration enforcement priorities of President Trump’s second term, which have included heightened scrutiny of visa applicants — including social media reviews — bond requirements, and restrictions on nationals from certain countries. The administration has already revoked tens of thousands of visas since taking office.

How the Review Is Being Conducted

State Department officials are working with the Department of Homeland Security to identify visa holders who entered the country as temporary visitors and subsequently filed asylum claims. The State Department documents indicate the government began examining current B-1 and B-2 holders after receiving information from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services about asylum applications.

The State Department has not publicly confirmed the potential number of people affected; the estimate of up to 200,000 comes from State Department documents and interviews with two U.S. officials obtained by the Associated Press. The Washington Post likewise reported that the revocations are expected to be carried out incrementally rather than in a single sweep.

The Wall Street Journal reported that the administration has already revoked more than 175,000 visas in cases involving alleged criminal conduct, visa violations, or security concerns, while also targeting international students and tightening other immigration pathways.

B-1 visas are generally intended for business travel, while B-2 visas cover tourism, family visits, and medical treatment. Current applicants are required to demonstrate that they intend to leave the United States and affirm that they will not seek asylum. Officials maintain that using these visas as a pathway to permanent residence through asylum filings undermines the integrity of both the visa and asylum systems.

Legal challenges are widely expected. Advocacy groups have previously argued that related crackdowns raise due-process and free-speech concerns. The State Department is expected to announce formal steps in the coming weeks unless the plan is revised or blocked in court.