The administration of US President Donald Trump is preparing to revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreign nationals who entered the United States on business or tourist visas before applying for asylum.
The proposed measure, which could affect Nigerians and nationals of other countries, is part of the administration’s broader effort to tighten immigration controls and crack down on what US officials describe as misuse of temporary visitor visas.
According to reports, the US Department of State is targeting holders of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 who have either applied for asylum or are currently seeking asylum in the country.
B1 visas are generally issued to people travelling for business purposes, while B2 visas are intended mainly for tourism and other temporary visits.
US officials say the visas are designed for people who intend to make temporary visits and return to their home countries. The administration is therefore reviewing cases in which individuals entered the country as visitors but later sought asylum as a way of remaining in the United States.
Up to 200,000 Visas Could Be Affected
Reports indicate that as many as 200,000 people could potentially be affected by the proposed revocation exercise, although the State Department has not confirmed a final number.
If implemented at that scale, the move could become the largest mass visa revocation exercise in US history. The process is expected to be carried out gradually as authorities review individual cases.
The planned cancellations would not automatically mean that everyone affected would be immediately deported. However, individuals could lose their status as B1 or B2 visitors and face changes to their immigration status while their asylum cases are considered.
Policy Sparks Legal Concerns
The proposed action is expected to generate legal challenges, particularly over the treatment of people whose asylum applications remain pending.
Asylum is a separate immigration process from obtaining a temporary visitor visa, and immigration experts have raised questions about the legal implications of revoking visitor visas after individuals have submitted asylum claims.
The planned visa cancellations form part of a wider immigration crackdown by the Trump administration. In recent months, US authorities have introduced several measures aimed at tightening visa screening and restricting pathways that officials believe are being used to circumvent immigration rules.
For Nigerians and other foreign nationals currently in the United States on B1 or B2 visas who have sought asylum, the proposed policy could therefore have significant implications for their immigration status.
US authorities are expected to continue reviewing affected cases before implementing the planned revocations.
