Rubio Announces Visa Restriction Policy for Foreign Officials Censoring Americans
(MENAFN) Secretary of State Marco Rubio unveiled a hardline visa restriction policy Wednesday, targeting international officials and individuals "complicit" in silencing American citizens' constitutional speech rights.
The dramatic policy shift comes as Americans face mounting pressure from foreign authorities, with citizens being "fined, harassed, and even charged by foreign authorities for exercising their free speech rights," Rubio wrote on X.
"Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign officials and persons who are complicit in censoring Americans," Rubio wrote, emphasizing that free expression remains a fundamental American birthright to which "foreign governments have no authority."
The sweeping measures mark an end to what Rubio characterized as "passive treatment" of those attempting to "undermine" American constitutional protections, whether operating in "Latin America, Europe, or elsewhere."
Rubio fired a stern warning at international actors: "Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country."
The Secretary of State condemned foreign officials who target Americans over social media content or pressure US platforms into adopting specific content moderation standards, calling such interference "unacceptable" and describing how those actions "encroach" on US sovereignty and threaten the US' "fundamental right to free speech."
The State Department announced that "certain family members" could face consequences under the expanded restrictions, amplifying the policy's potential reach.
This aggressive stance follows Tuesday's reported directive suspending student visa interviews as the Trump administration explores enhanced social media screening for international students.
The administration has already revoked over 1,000 student visas, specifically targeting individuals connected to pro-Palestinian activism or campus political demonstrations at elite institutions like Harvard and Stanford.
Rubio reinforced that visa access represents a privilege rather than an entitlement, asserting America's absolute authority over entry determinations.
Legal Disclaimer:
MENAFN provides the
information “as is” without warranty of any kind. We do not accept
any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images,
videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information
contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright
issues related to this article, kindly contact the provider above.
Legal Disclaimer:
EIN Presswire provides this news content "as is" without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
