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US plans unprecedented mass visa revocation affecting up to 200,000 foreigners

The United States is preparing to undertake its largest visa revocation programme in history, potentially affecting up to 200,000 foreign nationals. US officials have indicated the sweeping measure is imminent, though specific details remain limited.

LSN Sri Lanka · 25 August 2026

US plans unprecedented mass visa revocation affecting up to 200,000 foreigners

American government officials have announced plans for an unprecedented mass revocation of visas that could impact as many as 200,000 foreigners, marking the largest such operation in US history. The scale of the proposed action signals a significant shift in immigration enforcement policy, though authorities have not yet disclosed comprehensive details about the criteria or timeline for implementation.

Visa revocations on this scale would represent a dramatic escalation from previous enforcement actions. The measure would affect foreign nationals across multiple visa categories, though officials have not specified which groups or nationalities would be prioritised or whether the action would target individuals with specific characteristics or circumstances.

The announcement comes amid broader scrutiny of US immigration policies and security protocols. Government officials have indicated the revocation programme is part of wider efforts to strengthen visa management systems, though they have not provided detailed justification or explained which countries or visa holders would be most affected by the action.

For foreign nationals with US visas, the potential revocations raise significant questions about future travel and residency plans. Sri Lankan citizens holding US visas should monitor official communications from the US State Department and their embassy in Colombo for further guidance as implementation details are clarified.