Details: US to revoke 200,000 visas

 

TT-AP

 

Published 03.48

 

Passport control in the US, here Chicago. File photo. Photo: Ted S Warren/AP/TT

US authorities plan to revoke 200,000 visas issued to people who have applied for asylum.

The plans are expected to be presented in the coming weeks and apply to two types of short-term visas issued to people who have “come to the United States claiming to be short-term visitors but then applied to stay permanently,” said Tommy Pigott, a spokesman for the State Department.

The visas in question have been issued for the past decade, but those who apply for them today must certify that they will not seek asylum and prove that they intend to return home.

In the past 18 months, around 175,000 visas have been revoked for people convicted or accused of crimes or who have spoken negatively about American policies.