The United States announced a new restriction on its visa policy Wednesday. One day after news broke that it was suspending interviews for new entry permits for foreign students while reviewing their social media accounts, the State Department stated that the new ban will apply to “foreign nationals responsible for censoring protected freedom of expression in the United States,” as well as certain family members.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the measure could target senior officials responsible for regulating U.S. technology companies in their home countries.
In a post on the social media platform X, Rubio asserted that U.S. citizens “have been fined, harassed, or charged for exercising their right to freedom of expression,” and argued that foreigners who “undermine” that right “should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country.”
Washington has repeatedly expressed concerns over regulatory measures in other countries, including the European Union, that target content on U.S.-based social media and technology platforms. Rubio emphasized that freedom of expression is “essential to the American way of life, a birthright over which foreign governments have no authority.”
“Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country. Whether in Latin America, Europe, or anywhere else, the days of passive treatment for those who seek to harm the rights of Americans are over,” he added.
Rubio’s announcement was followed by a similarly worded statement from the State Department. In it, the Secretary of State declared: “It is unacceptable for foreign officials to issue or threaten to issue arrest warrants against U.S. citizens or residents for comments on U.S. social media while they are physically present on U.S. soil.”
He also called it “equally unacceptable” that “foreign officials require U.S. technology platforms to adopt global content moderation policies or engage in censorship activity that exceeds their authority and interferes with the United States.”
“We will not tolerate infringements on U.S. sovereignty, especially when such infringements undermine the exercise of our fundamental right to free expression,” the Secretary concluded.
It remains unclear how Washington intends to implement this restrictive visa policy or who will be held accountable for the alleged censorship. Neither the State Department’s statement nor Rubio’s post mentioned specific cases or individuals.
