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U.S. Restricts Visas for Foreign Officials Who Censor Americans

Leveraging Section 212(a)(3)(C) of U.S. immigration law, the policy bars entry to foreign authorities who threaten or punish Americans for exercising free speech.

The seal of the United States Department of State is seen in Washington, U.S., January 26, 2017. REUTERS/Joshua Roberts/File Photo
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Overview

  • The U.S. Department of State announced on May 28 that it will deny visas to foreign officials and others complicit in censoring American citizens.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the move responds to instances of fines, harassment and arrest threats over social media posts on U.S. platforms.
  • The policy covers actions such as demanding content moderation from American tech firms and issuing or threatening arrest warrants against Americans.
  • It invokes Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act to target individuals deemed foreign policy risks to free expression.
  • This initiative builds on prior visa sanctions from 2024 and a March 2025 expansion, reinforcing U.S. efforts to protect citizens’ speech abroad.