By Hauwa Gwandu

The administration of US President Donald Trump is moving to revoke the B1 and B2 visitor visas of foreign nationals who entered the United States for business or tourism before later applying for asylum, in what could become another major expansion of the administration’s immigration crackdown.

The proposed action could affect up to 200,000 people, according to reports citing US officials and government documents. However, the US Department of State said the figure is not final and could change as the review and revocation process progresses.

B1 visas are generally issued to foreign nationals travelling temporarily to the US for business purposes, while B2 visas cover tourism and other short-term visits.

Under the planned action, the administration is reportedly reviewing B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to individuals who subsequently filed asylum applications or currently have asylum claims pending.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed that the department is coordinating with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) on the move.

“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 said the number of affected visa holders could change because the revocations would be carried out on a rolling basis.

“As the process will be ongoing, the number of revocations remains dynamic and will be done on a rolling basis,” he added.

The proposed cancellations would not necessarily mean that every affected foreign national would be immediately deported from the United States.

Officials cited in reports said some individuals with pending asylum applications could instead have their immigration status adjusted or recategorised following the revocation of their visitor visas.

The Trump administration has increasingly focused on foreign nationals who enter the country legally on temporary visas but later seek to remain in the US through the asylum system.

Officials argue that some visitors have used B1 or B2 visas as a pathway to enter the country temporarily before filing asylum claims that allow them to remain for longer periods.

The planned visa cancellations are part of a broader immigration enforcement strategy under Trump, which has placed greater emphasis on visa screening, tighter entry restrictions and tougher action against migrants seeking to remain in the United States.

The administration has introduced additional scrutiny of visa applicants, including reviews of applicants’ social media activity, while nationals of certain countries have also been subjected to visa-bond requirements.

Nigeria is among the countries affected by the US visa-bond policy, with the requirement taking effect on January 21, 2026.

The administration has also introduced measures aimed at strengthening consular screening and immigration controls.

The proposed B1/B2 visa revocations could, however, trigger legal and policy challenges, particularly because filing an asylum application is a separate process from obtaining a temporary visitor visa.

For foreign nationals who entered the US lawfully before seeking asylum, questions may arise over how visa revocation would affect their ongoing immigration cases and whether such action could alter their ability to remain in the country while their claims are being considered.

The impact on pending asylum applications is expected to become a key issue if the policy is implemented.

For now, the State Department has not provided a final figure for the number of visas to be revoked or announced a definitive timetable for the operation.

Officials have indicated that the cancellations will be carried out progressively as the government identifies individuals who fall within the scope of the planned action.