Trump Administration Plans to Cancel 200,000 Immigration Visas

Trump Administration Plans Major Visa Revocation, Raising Questions and Concerns

In a move that could make history as the largest visa cancellation effort in the United States, the Trump administration is set to revoke 200,000 immigration visas across the country. This unprecedented measure is said to target immigrants who originally entered the U.S. on short-term visas for tourism or business but later applied for asylum.

According to a State Department spokesperson, Tommy Pigott, the initiative aims to reinforce the notion that a visa is a privilege and not a right. “Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership, we are making clear that a visa is a privilege — not a right. … Obtaining a visa in order to seek asylum is fraud — which is grounds for visa revocation. This is an ongoing process as we uphold the integrity of our visa and asylum laws,” Pigott stated in an email.

The plan, however, will be implemented gradually rather than as a single action, as indicated by an administration source familiar with the policy. Despite the ambitious nature of this plan, some experts, including immigration attorney Nicolette Glazer, argue that the policy may not have the desired impact. Glazer describes the initiative as an “empty effort,” explaining that it primarily affects individuals who have already violated the law by overstaying their visas.

Glazer also points out that many of those affected might have lived in the U.S. for an extended period and have established lives here, including having U.S.-born children. There is a narrative that individuals use asylum applications as a means to extend their stay until they qualify for a status change, particularly if they have U.S. citizen children. “I think it’s just the political spin, and my suspicion is this is an extension of the birth tourism rhetoric that they’re pushing now,” said Glazer, emphasizing that current law already deems overstayers deportable.

While fraud is a concern in the immigration system, instances where asylum cases are terminated due to fraud are rare, as highlighted by a 2015 Government Accountability Office report. The State Department cites a case involving a Colombian national who entered the U.S. in 2015 and applied for political asylum shortly before his visa expiration as a significant example of misuse.

Activist Beto Coral, who supported a leftist Colombian presidential candidate and opposed the right-wing candidate Abelardo de la Espriella — now backed by the Trump administration — was deported to Colombia in July. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau commented on Coral’s case, stating on X that it epitomizes the dysfunction and abuse of the asylum system.

State Department Correspondent Michele Kelemen in Washington contributed to this report.