ICYMI: US plans mass visa revocation for asylum seekers — Report

The United States government is planning to revoke the business and tourism visas of as many as 200,000 foreigners who have sought or are seeking asylum in the country, in what could become the largest mass visa revocation in US history.

The planned action targets holders of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 who entered the US as short-term visitors but subsequently applied for asylum, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press and two US officials, as reported by the agency on Monday.

The State Department is expected to begin announcing the revocations in the coming weeks in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed the planned action but said the number of affected people could change.

“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,” Pigott said.

He added that “the number of revocations remains dynamic” and that the action would be carried out “on a rolling basis.”

The revocations would not automatically lead to immediate deportation, according to the officials. People with pending asylum applications would instead lose their B1 or B2 status while their cases are considered.

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Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau defended the proposed policy, arguing that visitor visas should not be used as a route into the US asylum system.

“Asylum isn’t supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law,” Landau said in a post on X.

B1 visas are generally issued for business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits and medical treatment. Applicants are required to demonstrate that they intend to return to their home countries.

What it could mean for Nigerians

The proposed revocation could affect Nigerians among other foreign nationals, although the US government has not disclosed how many Nigerians may be involved in the 200,000 figure.

Nigerians have historically accounted for a significant share of African asylum applications in the US. According to UNHCR figures previously reported by The PUNCH, 2,827 Nigerians applied for asylum in the US in 2024.

Between 2022 and 2024, US immigration courts granted asylum to 1,372 Nigerians, while 1,534 applications were denied.

For Nigerians currently holding B1 or B2 visas who have applied for asylum, the development could mean losing their visitor status and facing closer scrutiny of their immigration cases. It also signals a tougher environment for Nigerians seeking to use short-term US visas as a pathway to remain in the country.