Again
OpenLife News reports that the Donald Trump administration has announced fresh plans to revoke the non-immigrant visas of foreigners who entered the United States as visitors but later applied for asylum — a move that could affect thousands of Nigerians and other nationals.
The latest directive is part of a broader immigration crackdown by the US government targeting both undocumented and legal immigration pathways.
A State Department spokesperson said on Monday that the department is working with the Department of Homeland Security, DHS to “identify and revoke the non-immigrant 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.”
The department did not state exactly how many visas would be affected.
However, the Associated Press reported that as many as 200,000 business and tourism visa holders could be hit, citing internal State Department documents and two US officials familiar with the plan.
If implemented at that scale, it would be the largest single mass revocation of US visas in American history.
According to the AP, the State Department plans to revoke B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to holders who have sought or are currently seeking asylum.
B1 visas are for business travel while B2 visas are for tourism and family visits. Both are the most common US visas issued to Nigerians traveling for conferences, medical trips, and holidays.
The planned revocations would not automatically trigger deportation. The AP reported that most people with pending asylum cases would simply be re-categorised and would lose their status as business or tourism visitors.
Earlier on Monday, United States of America Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X that the American immigration system “has long been swamped by frivolous asylum claims.”
The State Department also disclosed earlier this month that the Trump administration had already revoked more than 175,000 visas belonging to foreign nationals since returning to office.
Trump’s Broader Crackdown
Since returning to the White House, President Trump has pursued an aggressive immigration agenda that includes visa and green card revocations, expanded deportations, and new fees for certain work visa categories.
The president says the measures are aimed at strengthening US domestic security and enforcing immigration laws.
But rights groups have condemned the crackdown. They argue that some policies violate free speech and due process rights and have created fear among ethnic minorities amid concerns over racial profiling.
Although Trump campaigned in 2024 on a pledge to curb illegal immigration, his administration has also introduced measures affecting legal immigration, including higher and more expensive fees for work visa applicants.
What It Means For Nigeria
Nigeria is one of the top countries for US B1/B2 visa issuance in Africa. Thousands of Nigerians travel yearly for business, medical treatment, and tourism.
With this new protocol, Nigerians who entered the US on B1/B2 visas and later filed for asylum — a practice some immigration lawyers say increased after 2020 — could see their visas revoked.
Immigration experts warn that the policy could also lead to stricter scrutiny for new Nigerian applicants at US embassies in Abuja and Lagos.
However, the administration’s immigration policies have already faced several legal challenges in federal courts. Advocacy groups are expected to challenge this latest visa revocation plan on grounds of due process.
For now, the State Department says coordination with DHS is ongoing and affected individuals will be notified.
As travel protocols tighten again under Trump, Nigerians and other nationals who rely on US business and tourism visas may need to reassess travel and asylum plans.
About Author
