The U.S. government is preparing for a massive visa revocation campaign targeting short-term visas, which is expected to affect up to 200,000 foreign nationals holding B1 business and B2 tourist visas. This initiative primarily targets individuals who enter the country on short-term visitor status and subsequently apply for asylum. If implemented, it will mark the largest single-instance visa revocation in U.S. history.

According to internal documents, this measure is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. It will cover relevant visas issued between 2016 and 2026 and will be jointly executed by the State Department and the Department of Homeland Security. An official spokesperson noted that screening has already commenced, primarily relying on asylum application data provided by immigration authorities to identify and revoke non-immigrant visas issued for short-term visits but utilized by those intending to stay long-term. Officials have not yet confirmed the exact number of individuals ultimately affected; as the review process is ongoing, the figures remain fluid, and revocations will be carried out in batches.

It is important to clarify that visa revocation does not equate to immediate deportation. For individuals whose asylum applications are still pending, most will be reclassified but will lose their original business or tourist visitor status. Current regulations require non-immigrant visa applicants to demonstrate a lack of immigrant intent and commit to not seeking asylum in the United States. Senior administration officials argue that some foreign nationals exploit short-term visas to enter the country and then apply for asylum, essentially gaming the immigration system. Meanwhile, public frustration over such allegedly fraudulent asylum claims continues to mount.

Since the beginning of Donald Trump's second term, the U.S. has significantly intensified its visa screening efforts. Over the past year and a half, approximately 175,000 visas have been revoked for reasons including criminal offenses and public opposition to U.S. policies. Recent measures also include requiring applicants to disclose social media records, post substantial bonds, and restricting visa issuance for citizens of specific countries. This concentrated crackdown on short-term visas dwarfs previous efforts in scale.

This massive revocation plan has not yet officially taken effect and is highly likely to spark a new round of legal battles. Previously, a federal judge blocked the administration's policy to suspend immigrant visa processing for over 70 countries, ruling that such blanket restrictions exceeded statutory authority and emphasizing that consular officers must determine visa eligibility on a case-by-case basis in accordance with the law. Consequently, the legal basis, scope of application, and impact on the procedural rights of asylum seekers regarding this mass revocation are expected to become focal points in future litigation. For short-term visa holders who have already filed for asylum, this policy shift will directly affect their visa status, though it is distinct from immediately losing asylum eligibility or facing automatic deportation.