trump administration plans
| | |

Trump administration plans to revoke visas of fore…

The Trump administration plans to revoke certain non-immigrant visas held by foreign nationals who have applied for asylum or are currently seeking asylum in the United States.

The State Department said Monday that it is working with the Department of Homeland Security to identify people who entered the country as temporary visitors but later filed asylum applications. Officials said the goal is to revoke their visitor visas.

The department did not provide an estimate of how many visas could be affected. However, the Associated Press reported that the number could reach 200,000, based on State Department documents and information from two U.S. officials. If carried out at that scale it could become the largest mass visa revocation in U.S. history.

The reported policy would affect B1 and B2 visas issued between 2016 and 2026 to people who have sought asylum. B1 visas are generally used for business travel while B2 visas cover tourism and other temporary visits.

Visa cancellation would not automatically mean immediate deportation. According to the AP report many people with pending asylum cases could remain in the United States while their cases are processed but they would no longer hold their previous business or tourism visitor status.

Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau said Monday that the U.S. immigration system has been overwhelmed by what he described as frivolous asylum claims.

The State Department previously announced that more than 175,000 visas had been revoked under the Trump administration.

The planned visa action is part of President Donald Trump’s broader immigration enforcement campaign which includes visa and green-card cancellations and an expanded deportation effort. The administration says these measures are intended to strengthen national security and enforce U.S. immigration laws.

Civil rights and immigrant advocacy groups have criticized the broader crackdown arguing that some government actions threaten due process and free-speech protections. They have also raised concerns about racial profiling and the treatment of minority communities.

Trump campaigned in 2024 on promises to reduce illegal immigration. Since returning to office, his administration has also introduced measures affecting legal immigration, including higher costs for some employment-based visa programs. Several immigration policies have faced legal challenges in U.S. courts.

Similar Posts

  • |

    Trump says US will maintain control of Strait of Hormuz 

      US President Donald Trump has said American forces are likely to remain in control of the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, as tensions between Washington and Tehran continue to rise and efforts to revive a temporary peace agreement show little progress. In a post on his Truth Social platform on Wednesday, Trump claimed that the United States has “total control” over the waterway and suggested that Washington intends to maintain its presence there. He described the ongoing naval blockade as a “wall of steel” and said Iran had no effective means of challenging it. Trump also claimed that Iran’s military strength had been severely weakened, alleging that the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps had been “decimated.” He further described Iran’s economy as collapsing, pointing to high inflation and accusing Tehran of relying on rhetoric rather than meaningful action. However, an Iranian source said there had been no progress in efforts to restore an interim agreement reached in June. The agreement had called for an immediate halt to military operations and provided a 60-day period, which could be extended by mutual agreement, for both sides to negotiate a longer-term settlement. The arrangement quickly deteriorated. Trump later declared the agreement over, while Iran described it as suspended. Tehran has accused Washington of failing to meet its commitments, including lifting restrictions on Iranian ports and releasing frozen Iranian financial assets. The United States, meanwhile, has accused Iran of failing to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The Iranian source said mediators were discussing the possibility of Washington returning to the interim agreement and establishing a timetable for fulfilling its commitments, but no progress had been made. Tensions have increased further following fresh attacks on shipping in the region. The Strait of Hormuz, located between Iran and Oman, is one of the world’s most important energy routes and previously carried around one-fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies. Concerns over disruptions have contributed to a sharp rise in oil prices since the conflict began. Shipping traffic through the strait also dropped significantly. Data showed that only eight vessels were tracked passing through the waterway on Tuesday, the lowest daily figure in about a week. Ship operators have increasingly avoided the route because of security concerns. Additional attacks were reported at other major maritime chokepoints. In the Bab el-Mandeb Strait at the southern end of the Red Sea, four crew members were reportedly killed when an Iran-backed Houthi attack targeted a small cargo vessel. Two Yemeni rescuers were also reported killed. The US military separately said an American Navy helicopter fired two missiles to disable the steering system of a Panama-flagged cargo ship. US Central Command said the vessel had ignored repeated warnings and violated the naval blockade of Iranian ports. Maritime sources said the ship was struck near Pakistan while travelling toward the Gulf of Oman. The latest attacks have increased concerns about global energy supplies. Brent crude prices continued to rise, while investors reacted to growing uncertainty over the possibility of a quick end to the conflict. Iran has warned that the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed unless Washington accepts its conditions for ending the war. At the same time, Trump has continued to alternate between threatening further escalation and suggesting that a peace agreement could be reached soon. With military tensions, attacks on commercial shipping and diplomatic disagreements continuing, prospects for a swift resolution appear increasingly uncertain.

  • | |

    ECP proposes new powers to verify lawmakers’ ass…

    The Election Commission of Pakistan (ECP) has proposed amendments to the Election Rules, 2017, aiming to strengthen scrutiny of lawmakers’ annual declarations of assets and liabilities by allowing the commission to seek information directly from relevant institutions. According to a notification issued by the ECP, the proposed amendment would add a new provision to Rule 137 of the Election Rules. Under the proposed change, the commission would be empowered to seek clarification whenever it finds ambiguity or inconsistency in the asset and liability statements submitted by members of the National Assembly, Senate and provincial assemblies. The proposal would also authorize the ECP to obtain information not only from the concerned lawmaker but also from any individual, government department, organisation or financial institution that may possess relevant records. If approved, all entities approached by the commission would be legally required to provide the requested clarification or information within the timeframe specified by the ECP. The electoral body said the amendment has been proposed under the powers granted to it by Section 239 of the Elections Act, 2017. The draft amendment has been published to invite public feedback before it is finalised. Citizens and stakeholders have been invited to submit objections or suggestions regarding the proposed amendment to the ECP Secretariat in Islamabad by August 15, 2026. The commission said it will review all submissions and provide an opportunity for hearing before making a final decision. The draft amendment has also been uploaded to the ECP’s official website to ensure transparency and allow public participation in the legislative process.

  • | |

    Punjab seeks Rs12.5bn for local polls

    The Punjab government is expected to consider a request for Rs12.5 billion to finance the upcoming local government elections in the province. According to official sources, the Punjab Local Government Department has formally sought the funds from the provincial government to meet the financial requirements for conducting the elections. The requested amount is intended to cover the expenses associated with organising the electoral process, including administrative arrangements, polling operations, election staff, logistics and other necessary preparations. Sources said the proposal for the release of funds will be presented before the Punjab Cabinet for approval. The cabinet will review the request and decide whether to allocate the required amount for the elections. An important meeting of the Punjab Cabinet has been convened for today. The meeting is expected to discuss several major policy and administrative matters, with the funding proposal for local government elections among the key agenda items. If the cabinet approves the request, the release of funds will pave the way for the Election Commission and the provincial authorities to begin practical preparations for the long-awaited local government elections. The financial allocation is considered a key step toward ensuring that the electoral process is conducted smoothly and that all logistical and administrative requirements are met on time. Officials believe that timely approval of the funds will help avoid delays in election preparations and support the successful organisation of local government polls across Punjab.

  • |

    Free entry for fans at National Champions Cup 2026 in Multan

    Cricket fans in Multan are set for an exciting week of domestic action, with the Pakistan Cricket Board announcing free entry for spectators at the National Champions Cup 2026, which begins on August 11 at the Multan Cricket Stadium. The tournament will run until August 18 and will feature seven day-night matches, giving local supporters a chance to watch some of Pakistan’s leading domestic and international stars without paying an entry fee. Matches are scheduled to begin at 3pm local time. The new 50-over List-A competition will officially open Pakistan’s 2026-27 domestic cricket season. Four teams—Pakistan Greens, Pakistan Whites, Pakistan Blues and Pakistan Gold—will compete in a single round-robin league. At the end of the league stage, the two highest-ranked teams will qualify for the final, setting up a potentially decisive finish in Multan. The PCB has also confirmed the playing XIs for all four sides, along with a 13-player reserve pool. Reserve players will remain with their respective squads during training and match days and can be brought into the team if a player suffers an injury or concussion after the playing XI has been announced. The tournament features several prominent names. Fast-bowling star Shaheen Shah Afridi will captain Pakistan Gold, while all-rounder Shadab Khan will lead Pakistan Greens. Meanwhile, Pakistan Whites will be captained by Saim Ayub, with Sahibzada Farhan taking charge of Pakistan Blues. The leadership choices provide an interesting mix of international experience and emerging talent. Beyond the trophy itself, the competition carries added importance because the PCB is using the tournament as part of its wider preparations for the 2027 ICC Men’s Cricket World Cup. A 44-player pool has been assembled, supported by reserve players, giving selectors an opportunity to assess form, fitness and combinations ahead of future international assignments. For Multan’s cricket followers, the combination of free admission, day-night matches and a strong field makes the Champions Cup an appealing mid-August sporting attraction. With Shaheen and Shadab leading rival teams and several players competing for national recognition, the tournament could offer plenty of drama from the opening match to the final.

  • | |

    China accuses US of ‘AI hegemonism,’ threatens countermeasures over potential probes

    ‘For any action that causes substantive harm to Chinese interests, China will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard its legitimate rights and interests,’ a Chinese commerce ministry spokesperson says

  • | |

    Punjab orders inquiry into handwritten medico-lega…

    Lahore: The Punjab Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department has ordered an inquiry against five medical superintendents over the issuance of handwritten Medico-Legal Certificates (MLCs) and Post-Mortem Reports (PMRs), despite mandatory procedures requiring the documents to be generated through a computerized system. The action follows serious concerns raised by a Lahore High Court Division Bench regarding the continued issuance of handwritten medico-legal documents at several teaching hospitals across Punjab. According to an official departmental order issued on August 2, 2026, a meeting was held at the Specialized Healthcare and Medical Education Department on July 8 to examine the issue. The meeting reviewed records showing that several hospitals had issued handwritten MLCs and PMRs during the preceding months in violation of established standard operating procedures. The hospitals identified in the departmental record include Nishtar Hospital Multan, Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital Sialkot, Dr Faisal Masood Teaching Hospital Sargodha, Services Hospital Lahore and Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan. The highest number of handwritten MLCs was reported at Allama Iqbal Memorial Teaching Hospital Sialkot, where 1,243 such certificates were issued, along with 43 handwritten PMRs. Nishtar Hospital Multan reportedly issued 816 handwritten MLCs and 182 handwritten PMRs. Dr Faisal Masood Teaching Hospital Sargodha recorded 735 handwritten MLCs and 48 PMRs, while Services Hospital Lahore issued 680 handwritten MLCs. At Allama Iqbal Teaching Hospital Dera Ghazi Khan, the record showed 768 handwritten MLCs and 10 handwritten PMRs. The department said the available record provided sufficient grounds for proceedings against the concerned officers under Section 3 of the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, 2006. The allegations relate to alleged misconduct and inefficiency in the discharge of official responsibilities. Among the officers facing inquiry is Dr Rao Amjad Ali Khan, former Medical Superintendent of Nishtar Hospital Multan. The issue has also raised questions about the responsibility of officials and staff working in forensic and medico-legal departments. Questions have emerged over how handwritten reports continued to be issued despite the availability of a mandatory computerized system. Computerization of MLCs and PMRs was introduced to improve transparency, maintain reliable records and reduce the possibility of alteration or manipulation of sensitive medico-legal documents. Such reports can play an important role in criminal investigations and court proceedings. The inquiry is expected to establish why the prescribed digital system was bypassed, identify officials responsible for the violations and determine whether disciplinary action is warranted. The department will also examine the circumstances surrounding the issuance of the handwritten reports and the role of the relevant hospital administrations.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *