The United States government is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreigners who entered the country on temporary visas before applying for asylum.
The planned move, which could become the largest mass revocation of US visas in history, is expected to affect some holders of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026, according to reports by the Associated Press and Bloomberg.
B1 visas are issued primarily to people travelling to the US for business, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits and certain medical purposes.
US begins process to revoke visitor visas of asylum applicants. Photo: Courtesy.
The State Department is expected to begin the revocation process in the coming weeks in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
Officials are targeting foreigners who entered the US as temporary visitors before seeking asylum and attempting to remain in the country permanently.
The exact number of people who will be affected has not been confirmed, with officials indicating that the figure could change as authorities identify individuals who meet the criteria.
The potential figure of 200,000 people was contained in State Department documents and cited by two US officials, according to the Associated Press.
The move could affect thousands of asylum seekers in the US, including Kenyans who may have entered the country using B1 or B2 visas before filing asylum claims.
However, revocation of a visitor visa does not automatically mean that an individual with a pending asylum application will be deported.
Some affected individuals could have their immigration status recategorised while losing their original visitor visa.
The development comes as the administration of President Donald Trump intensifies immigration enforcement, with recent measures including increased scrutiny of visa applicants, social media checks, visa bonds and restrictions affecting nationals of selected countries.
