Overview

• Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a policy denying visas to foreign nationals deemed responsible for censoring protected expression of U.S. citizens or residents.
• Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, the State Department can now refuse or revoke visas for officials who issue or threaten arrest warrants over online posts on American platforms.
• Though no countries or individuals were specified, the move targets governments whose regulations—such as Europe’s Digital Services Act—are viewed as encroaching on U.S. free speech.
• The announcement coincides with stepped-up vetting of student visa applicants’ social media activity and the suspension of some new student visa interviews pending tighter screening.
• Republican lawmakers praised the policy as a defense of First Amendment rights, while foreign governments under scrutiny may lodge diplomatic objections.