The Trump administration is moving to revoke the visas of foreign nationals who entered the U.S. as short-term visitors and subsequently applied for asylum.

“Obtaining a visa to seek asylum is considered fraud, which provides grounds for visa revocation,” US State Department spokesman Tommy Pigott said.

He added that the number of visa revocations is “dynamic” and will occur on a rolling basis, potentially affecting hundreds of thousands of visas.

Since taking office, the Trump administration has rescinded over 175,000 visas held by foreign nationals for various reasons, according to the State Department.

“Under President Trump and Secretary Rubio’s leadership, we are making it clear that a visa is a privilege, not a right,” Pigott remarked to the BBC.

He noted that the department is collaborating closely with the Department of Homeland Security to identify and revoke the non-immigrant visas of those who initially claimed short-term visitor status but later sought asylum.

“These visas are issued with the clear understanding that recipients intend to return to their home countries,” he stressed.

Furthermore, individuals applying for B1 and B2 short-term visas must commit not to seek asylum in the United States.