The planned revocations would not necessarily lead to immediate deportation, according to AP.
The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 2 lakh foreign nationals who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States, the Associated Press reported on Monday.
The report, based on State Department documents and two US officials, said the move could become the largest single mass revocation of visas in US history if implemented.
The State Department is expected to announce the action in the coming weeks. It would cover B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who have sought or are seeking asylum.
“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 told AP.
Visa Holders Could Lose Travel Status
B1 visas are generally issued for business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits and medical treatment.
The planned revocations would not necessarily lead to immediate deportation, according to AP. Officials said many people with pending asylum cases could instead be reclassified, while losing their status as business or tourism travellers.
The State Department did not say how many visa holders from individual countries could be affected. The number of revocations could also change as the review continues.
The US Department of Homeland Security is working with the State Department on identifying people covered by the plan.
The administration has already revoked more than 1.75 lakh visas since Trump returned to office, the US State Department said earlier this month.
