US Revokes Visas of Six Foreigners Over Criticism of Charlie Kirk
The Trump administration revokes visas of six foreigners following online comments made after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The US government has taken the decision to revoke the visas of six foreign nationals who were deemed by American officials to have made light of or expressed derisive comments concerning the murder of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
This move came after a review of their social media posts and online content related to Kirk, who was assassinated on September 10 while speaking at a Utah college campus.
Kirk's assassination occurred just before President Donald Trump posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, describing him as a 'great American hero' and a 'martyr' for freedom.
This event has prompted the administration to target individuals who have made controversial comments about Kirk, leading to dismissals or disciplinary actions against journalists, teachers, and others, sparking concerns regarding free speech.
The six foreigners whose visas were revoked are from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, and South Africa; their identities remain undisclosed.
The State Department emphasized its commitment to defending the nation's borders, culture, and citizens by enforcing immigration laws.
It stated that foreigners who exploit America's hospitality while celebrating the assassination of its citizens will face removal.
In response to these events, Vice President JD Vance and other senior US officials have encouraged individuals to report any online comments that trivialize or endorse Kirk’s assassination.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau tweeted his disgust over such social media posts and urged users to copy him if they encountered similar content, directing consular officials to take appropriate action.
The administration's actions extend beyond this case; it has intensified efforts to identify and potentially expel thousands of foreigners in the US, including students, who are alleged to have fomented or participated in unrest or publicly supported protests against Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The government has also denied visas to applicants whose social media activities have been critical of its policies.
Among notable cases, the administration has expelled South Africa's ambassador to the US over comments critical of Trump, revoked a visa for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend the UN General Assembly, and canceled the visas for British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It is currently reviewing the status of over 55 million current US visa holders for potential violations of its standards.
These actions have been criticized by civil rights groups as infringements on constitutional freedoms of speech, which apply to all individuals in the United States regardless of citizenship.
This move came after a review of their social media posts and online content related to Kirk, who was assassinated on September 10 while speaking at a Utah college campus.
Kirk's assassination occurred just before President Donald Trump posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom, describing him as a 'great American hero' and a 'martyr' for freedom.
This event has prompted the administration to target individuals who have made controversial comments about Kirk, leading to dismissals or disciplinary actions against journalists, teachers, and others, sparking concerns regarding free speech.
The six foreigners whose visas were revoked are from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, and South Africa; their identities remain undisclosed.
The State Department emphasized its commitment to defending the nation's borders, culture, and citizens by enforcing immigration laws.
It stated that foreigners who exploit America's hospitality while celebrating the assassination of its citizens will face removal.
In response to these events, Vice President JD Vance and other senior US officials have encouraged individuals to report any online comments that trivialize or endorse Kirk’s assassination.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau tweeted his disgust over such social media posts and urged users to copy him if they encountered similar content, directing consular officials to take appropriate action.
The administration's actions extend beyond this case; it has intensified efforts to identify and potentially expel thousands of foreigners in the US, including students, who are alleged to have fomented or participated in unrest or publicly supported protests against Israel’s military operations in Gaza.
The government has also denied visas to applicants whose social media activities have been critical of its policies.
Among notable cases, the administration has expelled South Africa's ambassador to the US over comments critical of Trump, revoked a visa for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend the UN General Assembly, and canceled the visas for British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan.
It is currently reviewing the status of over 55 million current US visa holders for potential violations of its standards.
These actions have been criticized by civil rights groups as infringements on constitutional freedoms of speech, which apply to all individuals in the United States regardless of citizenship.
