US Plans Mass Visa Revocation For 200,000 Asylum Seekers, Including Nigerians

The United States government is preparing to revoke the business and tourism visas of up to 200,000 foreign nationals who entered the country as short-term visitors but later applied for asylum, in what officials say could be the largest mass visa cancellation in US history.

The move targets holders of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 who are accused of using visitor status to gain entry and then filing for asylum to remain permanently, according to documents obtained by the Associated Press and confirmed by two US officials on Monday.

The State Department is expected to begin issuing revocation notices in the coming weeks, working in coordination with the Department of Homeland Security.

—“Asylum Isn’t Supposed To Be A Loophole”—

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott confirmed the plan but said the final number of affected persons could change.

“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,” Pigott said.

He described the process as “rolling” and said the number “remains dynamic” as more cases are reviewed.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau defended the policy on X, saying visitor visas were never intended as an entry point into the asylum system.

“Asylum isn’t supposed to be a loophole to circumvent immigration law,” he wrote.

B1 visas are issued for business travel, conferences and professional engagements. B2 visas cover tourism, family visits and medical treatment. To qualify, applicants must prove “nonimmigrant intent” — that they plan to return to their home country after their visit.

—What Happens Next—

Officials stressed that visa revocation would not automatically trigger deportation. Instead, affected individuals with pending asylum claims would lose their B1/B2 status while their cases continue in immigration court.

However, losing visitor status could complicate their ability to work, travel, or renew other immigration benefits while awaiting a decision, and may subject them to closer scrutiny and possible removal proceedings if asylum is denied.

—Implications For Nigerians—

While the State Department has not released a country-by-country breakdown, Nigerians are likely to be among those impacted.

Nigeria consistently ranks among the top African countries for US asylum applications.
According to UNHCR data, 2,827 Nigerians applied for asylum in the US in 2024 alone.

US immigration court records show that between 2022 and 2024, 1,372 Nigerians were granted asylum, while 1,534 applications were denied.

Immigration attorneys say many Nigerians enter on B1/B2 visas for business, medical treatment, or family visits and later file asylum claims citing political persecution, religious violence, or insecurity back home.

For those already in the US on visitor visas who have filed for asylum, the revocation means:

1.Loss of B1/B2 status while the asylum case is pending
2.Increased scrutiny of their immigration history and intent at entry
3.Tougher prospects for future US visa applications, as overstaying or status violations are flagged

The policy also signals a broader US crackdown on what officials call “visa misuse,” and could make it harder for Nigerians seeking short-term travel to the US to get approvals going forward.

–‘Wider Context—

The planned revocation comes amid heightened US focus on border security and immigration enforcement ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

The Biden administration has faced pressure to reduce backlogs in the asylum system, which currently has more than 3 million pending cases nationwide.

If carried out at full scale, the revocation of 200,000 visas would eclipse previous mass cancellations, including the 2017 revocations linked to travel ban countries.

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The State Department said it will notify affected individuals directly and provide guidance on legal options, including how to maintain lawful status through their pending asylum proceedings.

For now, Nigerian applicants and other foreign nationals are being advised by lawyers to ensure all asylum documentation is up to date and to seek legal counsel immediately if they receive a revocation notice.