Trump administration moves to revoke visas of Nigerians, other asylum seekers

The Trump administration is moving to revoke the visas of Nigerians and other foreign nationals who entered the United States as short-term visitors before applying for asylum.

The US State Department said it is working with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to identify people affected by the new policy.

The move targets holders of B1 and B2 visas, which are commonly issued for business and tourism. The visas covered by the plan were issued between 2016 and 2026, according to US officials.

State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said officials would revoke the non-immigrant visas of people who entered the US claiming they intended to make short visits but later sought asylum to remain in the country.

The department said the revocations would take place on a rolling basis. However, it has not confirmed the final number of people who will lose their visas.

The Associated Press reported that the move could affect up to 200,000 visa holders. If implemented on that scale, it would become the largest single mass visa revocation in US history.

Importantly, losing a visa does not automatically mean immediate deportation. Officials said people with pending asylum cases could be moved into another immigration category while losing their status as business or tourism visitors.

The Trump administration has tightened immigration controls since President Donald Trump returned to office for a second term.

The government has also introduced stricter visa measures, including increased scrutiny of applicants and other restrictions.

For Nigerians, the development adds to growing concerns over access to US visas. The State Department already lists Nigeria among countries facing partial visa issuance restrictions for several categories, including B1/B2 visitor visas.

The latest policy is expected to attract further legal challenges as officials begin implementing the revocations.