Washington: In a move that has triggered widespread controversy, the U.S. State Department under President Donald Trump’s administration announced on Tuesday that it has revoked the visas of six foreign nationals who posted social media comments deemed “celebratory” or “disrespectful” following the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The decision marks a striking shift for an administration that had pledged to champion free expression and curb online censorship. The State Department justified the move, stating: “The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans. The State Department continues to identify visa holders who celebrated the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk.”
In a detailed thread posted on X (formerly Twitter), the department listed “six examples of aliens who are no longer welcome in the U.S.” The individuals, whose names were not disclosed, were said to be citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, and South Africa.
The thread included screenshots of social media posts that criticized Kirk, with one saying: “Charlie Kirk won’t be remembered as a hero. He was used to astroturf a movement of white nationalist trailer trash!” The inclusion of screenshots made it possible to identify at least two of the individuals, one of whom had already been subjected to online harassment from conservative users.
The State Department concluded the post by asserting that President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio “will defend our borders, our culture, and our citizens by enforcing our immigration laws. Aliens who take advantage of America’s hospitality while celebrating the assassination of our citizens will be removed.”
According to reports, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau had earlier urged social media users to flag posts that mocked or justified Kirk’s murder. “I am disgusted to see people rationalizing or making light of this tragedy,” Landau wrote last month. “I have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action.”
This directive has led to what critics describe as digital surveillance of dissenting speech by foreign nationals a practice civil rights groups say threatens the core principles of free expression and due process.
The latest action comes amid a broader pattern of politically charged visa cancellations by the Trump administration. In recent months, the government has:
Expelled South Africa’s ambassador for remarks critical of President Trump.
Revoked Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s visa ahead of his planned address to the U.N. General Assembly.
Cancelled the visas of British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan, citing “anti-American sentiment” in their lyrics.
Additionally, the State Department has intensified efforts to monitor social media activity among foreign students and visitors. Foreign nationals applying for U.S. visas are now required to disclose their social media handles for review a policy critics describe as a digital loyalty test.
Civil liberties advocates have condemned the move as a grave infringement on free speech principles. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and other organizations noted that constitutional protections extend to anyone within U.S. jurisdiction, not just citizens.
“This decision represents a dangerous politicization of immigration policy,” said one advocacy group. “Punishing individuals for speech even offensive or insensitive speech sets a chilling precedent and undermines America’s global reputation as a defender of freedom.”
The visa revocations underscore an escalating conflict between the administration’s nationalist rhetoric and the principles of free expression it once pledged to protect. Critics argue that this new policy weaponizes immigration law to silence dissent particularly when that dissent challenges the conservative establishment.
As debates continue, the incident highlights a defining paradox of the Trump era: a government claiming to champion “free speech absolutism” while simultaneously penalizing critics for exercising it even when they are beyond its borders.