U.S. Plans Mass Visa Revocation Targeting Up to 200,000 Asylum Seekers

The Trump administration is preparing to revoke the B1 and B2 visas of up to 200,000 foreign nationals who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States, in what could become the largest mass visa-revocation exercise in U.S. history. The move could affect asylum seekers from countries including Kenya.

According to the Associated Press, the planned action would target holders of business (B1) and tourism (B2) visas issued between 2016 and 2026 who entered the U.S. as temporary visitors before subsequently seeking asylum. The State Department is expected to begin announcing the revocations in the coming weeks in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.

The State Department said the initiative is intended to identify people who entered the country claiming to be short-term visitors but later sought asylum to remain permanently. The department, however, has not independently confirmed the figure of 200,000; that estimate comes from AP based on State Department documents and two U.S. officials.

The visa revocation would not automatically mean immediate deportation, but affected individuals could lose their nonimmigrant visa status and face further immigration consequences. The policy is expected to draw legal challenges and criticism from immigration and civil-rights groups.

Important: I would avoid stating as fact that “thousands of Kenyans” will definitely be affected unless a reliable source provides Kenya-specific figures. The current reporting establishes that foreign nationals generally are targeted, but does not give a confirmed number for Kenyans. #Trump