Topline
The State Department announced it had revoked the U.S. visas of six foreign nationals over comments they made about conservative activist Charlie Kirk’s assassination, continuing the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown over social media comments and public statements it has deemed as inflammatory or supporting violence.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had threatened to revoke visas and deport foreign nationals who “celebrate the death” of Charlie Kirk.
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Key Facts
The state department announced the revocations in a series of X posts, saying: “The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans.”
The agency noted that an Argentinian national, a South African national, a Mexican national, a Brazilian national, a German national and a Paraguayan national have had their visas revoked for their comments about Kirk’s killing.
The State Department didn’t mention the individuals by name, but shared screenshots of the alleged offending posts, including one from an Argentine national who said Kirk “devoted his entire life spreading racist, xenophobic, misogynistic rhetoric.”
Other examples alleged a Mexican national described Kirk as a “racist” and “misogynist,” while a German national wrote, “when fascists die, democrats don’t complain.”
It is unclear if the visa holders in question were currently residing in the U.S.
Crucial Quote
“POTUS and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will defend our borders, our culture, and our citizens by enforcing our immigration laws,” the agency added.
Chief Critic
In a statement on X, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression—which has sued the Trump administration’s efforts to target visa holders due to speech alone—said: “You can’t defend ‘our culture’ by eroding the very cornerstone of what America stands for: freedom of speech and thought. The Trump Administration must stop punishing people for their opinions alone. The Supreme Court has been clear that noncitizens have a right to freedom of speech. In America, no one should fear a midnight knock at the door because of their political views.”