Washington, D.C. — On Friday, September 11, 2026, Muslim Advocates filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request urging the U.S. Department of State and U.S. Department of Homeland Security to release information concerning the State Department’s reported plan to revoke en masse B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 for individuals who subsequently sought or are seeking asylum in the United States.  

B1 and B2 visas are non-immigrant visas issued to those traveling to the United States for business, tourism, or other limited purposes. Public reporting estimates that up to 200,000 individuals could be subject to the mass revocation. This plan comes on the heels of an April 2026 directive requiring visa applicants to affirm they do not fear harm or mistreatment in returning to their country of nationality.  

Neither the State Department nor any other federal agency have made any formal announcements regarding the mass visa revocation. There is no publicly available information as to when or how the State Department will carry out this plan. That’s why Muslim Advocates is seeking records relating to the development, implementation, and impact of the planned mass visa revocation.

“This planned mass revocation of B1 and B2 visas is yet another example of this administration abusing its discretion to carry out its racist and xenophobic agenda of targeting immigrants and noncitizens. It is clear that this planned mass visa revocation is part of the administration’s broader goal of restricting access to asylum across the board, with absolutely no regard for human life or safety,” said Nargis Aslami, Legal Fellow at Muslim Advocates. “The administration has not released any information about what would be the largest-scale visa revocation in U.S. history. But government agencies cannot operate behind a shroud of secrecy. That’s why Muslim Advocates has filed these FOIA requests.” 

• Department of State FOIA Request 

• Department of Homeland Security FOIA Request