The proposed action targets B1 and B2 business and tourist visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to foreign nationals who have sought or are seeking asylum.

The Donald Trump administration is preparing to revoke the business and tourist visas of up to 2 lakh foreign nationals who have applied for or are currently seeking asylum in the United States, in what could become the largest single mass visa revocation in US history. The plan targets holders of B1 and B2 non-immigrant visas and is expected to be implemented in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). 

The US State Department has confirmed that it is working with DHS to identify people who entered the country as short-term visitors but later filed asylum applications. State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott said the department was coordinating with DHS to revoke the relevant non-immigrant visas. However, the department has not confirmed the final number of visas that will be cancelled, saying the process will take place on a rolling basis. 

Which Visas Are Targeted?

The proposed action concerns B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 where the holders have sought asylum or are currently seeking asylum, according to State Department documents obtained by the Associated Press and cited by US officials. B1 visas are generally issued for business travel, while B2 visas cover tourism, family visits and certain medical trips. 

The administration argues that some foreign nationals are using short-term visitor visas to enter the US and subsequently pursue asylum as a way of remaining in the country. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has criticised what he described as “bogus” asylum claims and argued that asylum should not be used to circumvent immigration rules. 

Will Visa Holders Be Deported?

Revocation of a B1 or B2 visa would not automatically mean immediate deportation, according to officials cited by the Associated Press.

People with pending asylum cases could instead be re-categorised while losing their status as business or tourism visitors. The distinction is important because visa cancellation and removal from the United States are separate immigration processes. 

The State Department is expected to announce further details in the coming weeks. Until then, the exact number of people ultimately affected remains uncertain.

Part of Wider Immigration Crackdown

The planned visa cancellations are the latest step in the Trump administration's broader immigration enforcement drive. Since returning to office for a second term, the administration has tightened scrutiny of visa applicants and expanded measures involving visa revocations, deportations and restrictions on legal immigration. 

The State Department has said it has already revoked more than 175,000 visas during the administration's broader enforcement efforts. Those cancellations have involved a range of issues, including criminal allegations and other grounds cited by US authorities.

The administration has also introduced additional scrutiny of visa applicants, including examination of social media histories and other measures intended to strengthen immigration enforcement.

Legal Challenges Likely

The proposed mass revocation is likely to face legal challenges if implemented. Rights groups have already criticised the Trump administration's immigration policies, raising concerns about due process and the treatment of migrants and asylum seekers. 

The proposal also comes amid wider legal disputes over the administration's immigration measures. A US federal judge recently struck down a separate policy that had suspended immigrant visa issuance for citizens of 75 countries, ruling that the policy exceeded statutory authority. 

For foreign nationals currently in the US on B1 or B2 visas who have filed asylum claims, the immediate issue is therefore not simply whether their visas will be cancelled, but how the government will classify their immigration status afterward.

If implemented at the scale reported by AP, the action would mark a major escalation in the Trump administration's use of visa revocation as an immigration enforcement tool.

The European Union is set to hold talks with a Taliban delegation in Brussels over the return of failed Afghan asylum seekers, a move that has reignited debate over the bloc’s migration policies and its engagement with Afghanistan’s de facto rulers. The discussions come as several European governments seek stricter measures to address irregular migration and increase deportations of migrants who have no legal right to remain in Europe.

Belgium has approved short-term visas for five Taliban representatives to attend the meeting. While EU officials insist that the talks do not amount to formal recognition of the Taliban government, human rights organizations have criticized the decision, arguing that it undermines the European Union’s stance on human rights and accountability.

The meeting is expected to focus on practical arrangements for returning Afghan nationals whose asylum applications have been rejected. European authorities say the discussions are necessary because Afghanistan remains a major source of asylum seekers across the continent.

According to Belgian officials, the visas granted to the Taliban delegation are valid only within Belgium and do not permit travel across the wider Schengen Area. Authorities also confirmed that the visas are limited to a single day and were issued following security assessments.

Migration Policy Takes Center Stage

The talks reflect growing pressure on European governments to tighten immigration controls amid rising public concern over migration. In recent years, several EU member states have pushed for stronger deportation mechanisms, particularly for individuals who have exhausted legal avenues to remain in Europe.

European Commission officials have argued that engagement with Taliban authorities is necessary to facilitate the return of migrants. Earlier this month, EU Migration Commissioner Magnus Brunner stated that Brussels has limited options when dealing with Afghanistan and must engage with those currently exercising authority in the country.

Data from European agencies show that EU member states received nearly one million asylum applications from Afghan nationals between 2013 and 2024. Approximately half of those applications were approved during that period.

Rights Groups Object

The planned meeting has drawn criticism from human rights organizations, which say the EU risks compromising its principles by engaging with the Taliban while continuing to condemn its human rights record.

Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups have warned that returning Afghans to a country facing a severe humanitarian crisis raises serious legal and ethical concerns. Critics argue that many Afghans continue to face economic hardship, food insecurity, and restrictions on basic freedoms under Taliban rule.

Since returning to power in 2021, the Taliban have imposed strict social regulations, particularly affecting women and girls. International organizations have repeatedly criticized restrictions on female education, employment opportunities, and access to public spaces.

Officials familiar with the discussions emphasize that the meeting is focused on migration management rather than diplomatic recognition. However, analysts note that direct engagement with Taliban representatives reflects the practical challenges European governments face in implementing deportation policies.

The issue has become increasingly sensitive across Europe, where migration remains a major political topic. Rising support for right-wing and anti-immigration parties in several countries has added pressure on governments to demonstrate tougher border and asylum policies.

The outcome of the Brussels talks could influence future EU policy toward Afghanistan and set a precedent for how European institutions engage with governments that lack formal international recognition. For now, the meeting highlights the difficult balance between migration management, diplomatic realities, and human rights concerns.