Trump’s Immigration Crackdown Targets Asylum-Seeking Visa Holders

The United States government has announced plans to revoke the visas of foreign nationals who entered the country on tourist or business visas and later applied for asylum in a bid to remain permanently.

The policy, unveiled on Tuesday by the US State Department, is part of the Trump administration’s broader efforts to tighten immigration controls and reduce the number of people staying in the country beyond the purpose of their original visas.

According to the State Department, officials are working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify visa holders who allegedly misrepresented their intentions when applying for entry into the United States.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said obtaining a visa with the intention of seeking asylum after arrival amounts to fraud and could result in visa revocation.

“Obtaining a visa in order to seek asylum is fraud, which is grounds for visa revocation,” Pigott stated.

The White House said the policy could affect as many as 200,000 visa holders, describing it as potentially the largest mass visa revocation in US history. However, the State Department did not confirm the figure, noting that the number of affected individuals remains subject to ongoing review.

Pigott explained that visa revocations would be carried out gradually and on a rolling basis as authorities continue their investigations.

Earlier this month, the State Department disclosed that approximately 175,000 foreign nationals had their visas revoked since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025. Reasons cited included criminal offences and activities deemed contrary to US interests.

The administration has also revoked visas belonging to several Mexican officials, including a son of former Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador, a move that drew criticism from Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum.

Since returning to office, Trump has intensified efforts to curb illegal immigration, increase deportations and enforce stricter visa compliance measures. The administration has also targeted individuals who remain in the country after their visas expire.

Some of these immigration policies have faced legal challenges. Last week, a federal judge struck down a government restriction affecting visa applicants from 75 countries seeking permanent residency in the United States. The countries included Nigeria, Afghanistan, Brazil, Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Somalia, Thailand and Yemen.

In addition, the Trump administration is considering expanding the review of visa applicants’ social media activities as part of enhanced screening procedures.

Pigott maintained that entry into the United States remains a privilege rather than a guaranteed right, stressing that visa holders must comply with the conditions under which their visas were granted.