The Donald Trump administration is preparing a major immigration crackdown that could see the United States revoke up to 200,000 business and tourist visas held by foreign nationals who entered the country on temporary visas and subsequently applied for or are seeking asylum, according to reports based on US State Department documents and officials. If implemented, the move could become the largest single mass visa revocation in US history.
The proposed action primarily concerns B1 business and B2 tourist visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who later sought asylum in the United States. The administration argues that some applicants may have used temporary visitor visas as a pathway to remain in the country permanently. Officials have stressed that the initiative is aimed at preventing what they describe as misuse of the visitor-visa system.
Why Indians Could Be Affected
Indians could be among the largest groups affected because India has been a major source of US non-immigrant visa applicants. According to a report by ThePrint, around 70,000 Indians could potentially be among those facing visa revocation, although the final number is not yet confirmed. India accounted for the largest share of US non-immigrant visas issued to South Asians in 2025.
The proposed cancellations would not apply to all Indians holding US tourist or business visas. The focus is specifically on people who entered the US on B1 or B2 visas and subsequently filed or are filing asylum claims.
What Are B1 and B2 Visas?
A B1 visa generally permits temporary travel to the US for business-related activities, while a B2 visa is commonly used for tourism, visiting family and friends, or certain medical purposes.
Applicants for these visas are generally required to demonstrate that their visit is temporary and that they intend to return to their home country. The Trump administration says the planned action is intended to address cases where people entered as temporary visitors but later sought asylum to remain in the US.
Does Visa Cancellation Mean Immediate Deportation?
Not necessarily. Reports indicate that revocation of a B1 or B2 visa would change the person's non-immigrant visa status, but it does not automatically mean immediate deportation. Individuals with pending asylum cases could continue to have those cases processed under applicable US immigration procedures.
The plan is also not yet a completed mass cancellation. Officials have indicated that the process is still being prepared and could face legal challenges or changes before implementation.
Part of a Wider Immigration Crackdown
The proposed B1/B2 revocations come amid several other immigration measures introduced by the Trump administration. These include increased visa scrutiny, additional requirements for applicants and a proposed $103,265 fee for certain new H-1B petitions, a move that could have significant consequences for Indian skilled professionals.
The administration has also temporarily paused immigrant visa interviews worldwide while consular officers receive updated training related to stricter screening requirements.
For now, Indian applicants and US visa holders should avoid assuming that every B1 or B2 visa is at risk. The reported proposal is targeted at a specific category of visa holders who subsequently sought asylum, and the final scope could change before the policy takes effect.
