The Trump administration is preparing the largest single mass revocation of visas in U.S. history, targeting up to 200,000 foreigners who entered on business or tourism visas, but later applied for asylum.

State Department officials said the action, expected in the coming weeks unless altered, would cancel B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for individuals who claimed short-term visitor status but then sought permanent protection through the asylum system. The revocations will occur in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.

"We are coordinating with DHS to identify and revoke the nonimmigrant visas of foreigners who have come to the United States claiming to be short-term visitors, but then file for asylum to stay here permanently," State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.

The move builds on an aggressive enforcement campaign already underway. The State Department announced earlier this month that it has revoked more than 175,000 visas since President Trump returned to office, surpassing the previous annual record of over 100,000 set in 2025. Most revocations stemmed from law enforcement encounters involving crimes such as assault, driving under the influence, theft, and drug offenses, along with cases of fraud, sexual assault, child abuse, and birth tourism schemes.

Officials highlighted examples including foreign nationals charged with felony rape, kidnapping, human trafficking, and sexual exploitation of minors, as well as parents from North Africa who entered primarily to secure U.S. citizenship for their children. Additional revocations addressed national security concerns and public calls for violence against Americans.

The pending action focuses specifically on visa misuse by asylum applicants and would not automatically trigger deportation for those with pending cases. Most affected individuals would lose their visitor status while their asylum claims proceed under different categories.

Current B1 and B2 applicants must affirm they will not seek asylum and intend to return home. The policy aims to deter abuse of the temporary visa system for long-term stays.

The revocations align with broader efforts under Secretary of State Marco Rubio to enforce immigration rules strictly and protect national security through continuous vetting.