Tens of thousands of visas revoked in Trump travel ban
WASHINGTON, (Reuters) - Tens of thousands of visas were revoked under U.S. President Donald Trump’s travel ban affecting seven Muslim-majority countries, the State Department said yesterday.
“Fewer than 60,000 individuals’ visas were provisionally revoked to comply with the executive order,” said William Cocks, a spokesman for consular affairs at the State Department.
Earlier news reports, citing a government attorney at a federal court hearing, put the figure at more than 100,000 visas.
Cocks said the visas had been voided for now but may be restored without travelers needing to apply again once the ban is lifted.
“A provisional revocation means the Department of State has invalidated a visa for use to travel to the United States and apply for entry, but may restore the visa’s validity at a subsequent time without requiring the traveler to submit a new visa application,” he said.
“We will communicate updates to affected travelers following the 90-day review,” Cocks added.
The immigration executive order signed by Trump a week ago temporarily halted the U.S. refugee programme and imposed a 90-day suspension on people traveling from Iran, Iraq, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen. Trump said the measures would help protect Americans from terrorist attacks.