U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visas amid broader B-1/B-2 revocation plan

U.S. State Department pauses immigrant visas amid broader B-1/B-2 revocation plan

Politics

NBC News reported that the U. S. State Department halted processing of all immigrant visa applications worldwide on 27 August, pending the completion of public-charge rule training for consular officers. The agency said the pause would remain in effect until mid-September.

The suspension follows earlier steps in the administration’s immigration crackdown. In early August, the State Department announced a rolling revocation of up to 200,000 B-1 and B-2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to individuals who later filed asylum claims, a move described by multiple outlets as affecting hundreds of thousands of visas. Prior to the August 27 suspension, the department had also paused immigrant visa interviews to allow consular staff to complete the same public-charge training, as reported by the Guardian and Fox News.

Actors

U.S. State Department U.S. Department of Homeland Security Tommy Pigott Christopher Landau President Donald Trump

Locations

Washington, DC, United States

Fact Check

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Verdict: Partially confirmed Confidence: 64% Claims: 1
At a glance

One claim stated that on August 25, 2026, the State Department announced a rolling revocation of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for holders who later filed asylum claims; this claim was partially confirmed, as the main event was verified but some details were unconfirmed.

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Articles

August 27, 2026
1 total
State Department pauses all immigrant visa processing pending new public-charge guidance
State Department pauses all immigrant visa processing pending new public-charge guidance

NBC News • 27 Aug 12:47

The State Department has temporarily halted issuance of immigrant visas while consular officers receive training on revised public-charge rules, with the pause expected to end by mid-September.

Credibility 68% Manip. 32% Center
August 26, 2026
3 total
Trump administration to consider revoking up to 200,000 B-1/B-2 visas of asylum applicants
Trump administration to consider revoking up to 200,000 B-1/B-2 visas of asylum applicants

Spectrum News • 26 Aug 11:33

The U.S. administration is reviewing a proposal to cancel business and tourist visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for individuals who have applied for asylum, potentially affecting up to 200,000 people nationwide.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
State Department Halts Immigrant Visa Interviews for Public-Charge Training
State Department Halts Immigrant Visa Interviews for Public-Charge Training

Fox News • 26 Aug 07:41

The U.S. State Department has suspended immigrant visa interviews worldwide until consular officers complete training on the public-charge rule, delaying applicants who had reached the interview stage.

Credibility 72% Manip. 32% Center
U.S. State Department Suspends All Immigrant Visa Applications for Training Review
U.S. State Department Suspends All Immigrant Visa Applications for Training Review

The Guardian • 26 Aug 01:17

The State Department has paused processing of all immigrant visa applications to conduct extensive training for consular officers, part of broader efforts to tighten immigration controls.

Credibility 72% Manip. 28% Left
August 25, 2026
5 total
US to revoke visas of short-term visitors who seek asylum
US to revoke visas of short-term visitors who seek asylum

BBC • 25 Aug 18:12

The State Department announced a rolling revocation of B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for holders who later filed asylum claims, affecting potentially hundreds of thousands of visas.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
U.S. State Department to Revoke Visas of Asylum Seekers on Temporary Visas
U.S. State Department to Revoke Visas of Asylum Seekers on Temporary Visas

CNN • 25 Aug 15:58

The State Department announced a phased revocation of nonimmigrant visas for individuals who entered the United States on temporary visas and later applied for asylum, potentially affecting up to 200,000 people.

Credibility 73% Manip. 10% Center
Trump administration to revoke up to 200,000 tourist and business visas linked to asylum claims
Trump administration to revoke up to 200,000 tourist and business visas linked to asylum claims

Al Jazeera • 25 Aug 14:10

The State Department announced a plan to cancel B-1 and B-2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for holders who have applied for asylum, a move that could affect as many as 200,000 people.

Credibility 72% Manip. 27% Center
US to revoke up to 200,000 visas of asylum seekers
US to revoke up to 200,000 visas of asylum seekers

DW.com • 25 Aug 04:49

The State Department plans to cancel B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for foreign nationals who have filed asylum claims, potentially affecting as many as 200,000 people.

Credibility 72% Manip. 8% Center
U.S. State Department to Consider Revoking Up to 200,000 B1/B2 Visas Linked to Asylum Applications
U.S. State Department to Consider Revoking Up to 200,000 B1/B2 Visas Linked to Asylum Applications

Al Jazeera • 25 Aug 01:09

The State Department is reviewing a proposal to cancel business and tourist visas for as many as 200,000 foreign nationals who have applied for asylum, a move that would be the largest mass revocation of visas in U.S. history.

Credibility 72% Manip. 10% Center
August 24, 2026
3 total
U.S. State Department to Revoke Up to 200,000 B1/B2 Visas Linked to Asylum Applications
U.S. State Department to Revoke Up to 200,000 B1/B2 Visas Linked to Asylum Applications

NBC News • 24 Aug 22:21

The State Department plans to cancel business and tourism visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for foreign nationals who have filed or are filing asylum claims, a move that could affect as many as 200,000 people.

Credibility 72% Manip. 12% Center
U.S. to revoke visas of up to 200,000 asylum seekers, State Department says
U.S. to revoke visas of up to 200,000 asylum seekers, State Department says

PBS • 24 Aug 20:59

The State Department announced a plan to identify and cancel nonimmigrant visas of foreign nationals who have applied for asylum after entering the United States on short-term visitor visas.

Credibility 72% Manip. 9% Center
U.S. State Department to Revoke Up to 200,000 Business and Tourist Visas Linked to Asylum Applications
U.S. State Department to Revoke Up to 200,000 Business and Tourist Visas Linked to Asylum Applications

AP News • 24 Aug 20:30

The Trump administration plans to cancel B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for foreign nationals who have filed or are filing asylum claims, a move that could affect as many as 200,000 people and is expected to face legal challenges.

Credibility 78% Manip. 9% Center

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