The Trump administration is expanding its review of U.S. visa holders while temporarily postponing immigrant visa interviews at U.S. consulates worldwide.

The separate actions affect different groups. One involves people who entered with tourist or business visas and later applied for asylum. The other affects people outside the United States seeking visas to become permanent residents.

The developments could have a direct impact in Danbury, where Brazilians and Ecuadorians make up two of the city’s largest immigrant communities.

Up to 200,000 Visas Could Be Revoked

The administration is preparing to revoke the B-1 and B-2 visas of up to 200,000 foreign nationals who applied for asylum after entering as temporary visitors.

If carried out, it would be the largest single mass visa revocation in U.S. history, according to State Department documents and federal officials cited by The Associated Press.

B-1 visas are generally used for temporary business travel. B-2 visas cover tourism, family visits, and some medical travel. The action would target visas issued between 2016 and 2026.

The administration argues that some people entered as visitors even though they planned to stay permanently. However, applying for asylum after entering with a visitor visa is not automatically fraud. Federal law allows people physically present in the United States to request asylum. Conditions in a person’s home country may also change after arrival.

The proposed revocations would not automatically cancel pending asylum applications or result in immediate deportation. However, a revoked visa could no longer be used to travel to the United States.

A visa is different from immigration status inside the country. After admission, the authorized length of a visitor’s stay is generally controlled by Form I-94. The effect of a revocation will depend on the person’s admission record, pending applications and immigration history.

More Than 175,000 Visas Already Revoked

The proposed action is separate from the more than 175,000 visas the State Department says it has already revoked since President Donald Trump returned to office in January 2025.

In an August 10 fact sheet, the department said those cases involved alleged visa violations, crimes, fraud, calls for violence and national security concerns.

Most followed encounters with law enforcement. Assault, driving under the influence, theft and drug-related offenses were among the leading reasons for revocation.

The Department did not provide a breakdown by nationality or visa category. It also did not explain how many people were convicted and how many had only been arrested or charged.

According to Reuters, the government has expanded its continuous screening of visa holders, including reviews of law enforcement records and social media activity. Civil rights groups have raised concerns about free speech and due process.

Immigrant Visa Interviews Postponed

In a separate action, U.S. embassies and consulates have been directed to postpone immigrant visa interviews while officers complete additional training.

Immigrant visas are for people planning to live permanently in the United States. They are often used by spouses, parents, and children of U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The pause does not apply to tourist, business, or student visa interviews.

According to The Hill, the training focuses on determining whether applicants may become dependent on certain public benefits after arriving.

Some applicants have received notices that their interviews will be rescheduled. A postponed interview does not necessarily mean the application was denied or canceled.

Seek Legal Help Immediately

Anyone who receives a revocation notice, believes a visa may have been revoked, or fears being affected should seek qualified immigration legal representation immediately.

People should speak with an attorney before leaving the United States, withdrawing an asylum case, or making international travel plans. Leaving without legal advice could affect a pending case and the ability to return.

Legal advice should come from a licensed attorney or a representative accredited by the U.S. Department of Justice. Notarios and unlicensed consultants are not authorized to provide legal advice on immigration.

Sources: U.S. Department of State, The Associated Press, Reuters, and The Hill.