State Department Plans Visa Revocations for Asylum Seekers

The State Department is gearing up to revoke the tourist and business visas of around 200,000 individuals who have sought asylum in the United States.

According to a report from the Associated Press, this action is expected to be announced in the coming weeks. The revocation will pertain to B1 and B2 visas that were issued between 2016 and 2026 to those who later filed for asylum, based on documents from the State Department and insights from two U.S. officials. The Department of Homeland Security will handle the actual revocation process.

B1 visas are typically for business trips, while B2 visas are meant for tourism, visiting family, or medical care—not for those looking to stay permanently. When applying, individuals must confirm they will not seek asylum upon arrival and show intentions to return to their home country.

State Department spokesperson Tommy Pigott indicated the agency is collaborating with DHS to identify those who entered through temporary visas and subsequently applied for asylum, without specifying a precise number.

“The number of revocations is subject to change and will occur progressively,” Pigott remarked.

Since the beginning of last year, the department has already revoked more than 175,000 visas, with a majority linked to criminal activities.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau publicly emphasized the issue, asserting on social media that the asylum system has been overwhelmed for years by claims that do not meet the required legal criteria. He pointed out that the law was established as a specific refuge for individuals facing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political views, or association with certain social groups.

“Asylum isn’t intended to be a way to bypass immigration laws,” he added.

Landau also noted that the backlog of claims can take years to sort through, during which time applicants can legally work.

Interestingly, these work permits have, in some cases, provided a pathway into the commercial trucking industry. Asylum seekers with federal work authorization used to qualify for non-domiciled commercial driver’s licenses—until a regulation issued in February by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration removed that category.

A significant portion of this workforce consists of Punjabi Sikh drivers from northern India. Reports indicate that about one-fifth of the Sikh population in the U.S. is involved in trucking. Raman Dhillon, the CEO of the North American Punjabi Trucking Association, noted that these drivers obtained their licenses through state motor vehicle offices and their work permits from the federal government.

Under former President Joe Biden, asylum applications from Indian nationals saw a steep rise. The Department of Homeland Security recorded 41,030 applications from Indians during fiscal year 2023, a dramatic increase from just 4,330 two years earlier. Meanwhile, India’s Ministry of External Affairs has expressed concerns that asylum seekers undermine the country and its societal values for personal benefit.

Landau’s comments elicited a strong response on social media, sparking various discussions among readers.