US to Revoke 200,000 B1/B2 Visas, H-1B Reform

The Trump administration is preparing to revoke up to about 200,000 nonimmigrant B1 business and B2 tourist visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for foreign nationals who entered the United States and later sought asylum, potentially producing the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history. Officials say the rollbacks will occur on a rolling basis and are coordinated with the Department of Homeland Security, with officials insisting a visa is a privilege, not a right, and that asylum claims should not be treated as a loophole. While many with pending asylum cases could be reassigned to different immigration categories, the revocations would not necessarily trigger immediate deportations, and affected individuals are advised to retain copies of their filings. The broader push includes reforms to the H-1B visa program, including a proposed six-figure fee in some cases, as part of a wider crackdown on immigration pathways. Reactions vary, with officials arguing the policy restores integrity to visa and asylum laws, while observers and legal experts anticipate legal challenges and significant disruption to tens of thousands of ongoing cases.