U.S. Revokes Visas of Foreign Nationals Who ‘Celebrated’ Charlie Kirk’s Assassination
Six foreign nationals lose U.S. visa status after social media posts lauded or made light of conservative activist’s death
The U.S. State Department has revoked the visas of six foreign nationals whose online commentary was judged to celebrate or trivialize the assassination of social activist Charlie Kirk.
The decision underscores a new policy stance by the Trump administration that foreigners who applaud or excuse violence against Americans are no longer welcome.
According to official announcements, those whose visas were revoked hail from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay and South Africa.
The State Department cited social media posts including harsh criticisms of Kirk and celebratory responses to his killing.
One post by a German national reportedly said, “when fascists die, democrats don’t complain”.
Another by an Argentine user denounced Kirk for spreading “racist, xenophobic, misogynistic rhetoric”.
The revocations coincided with the posthumous awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Kirk on what would have been his thirty-second birthday.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier declared on social media that “America will not host foreigners who celebrate the death of our fellow citizens,” warning that visa revocations were “under way”.
He said that individuals already in the United States who condoned political assassination risk being deported.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also publicly directed consular officials to take prompt action against visa holders who “praise, rationalize or make light” of Kirk’s death.
The scope of this visa enforcement move remains unclear.
The State Department said it is continuing to review visa holders and applicants whose public statements reference Kirk’s assassination.
While the policy targets foreigners, critics contend it raises significant questions about speech rights and the boundary between political expression and sanctionable conduct.
The revocations are part of a broader Trump administration strategy to intensify immigration screening tied to social media activity and public commentary, particularly in sensitive cases.
The measure signals a rigid enforcement approach blending national security, immigration, and political speech under the banner of protecting U.S. citizens from those who glorify violence abroad.
The decision underscores a new policy stance by the Trump administration that foreigners who applaud or excuse violence against Americans are no longer welcome.
According to official announcements, those whose visas were revoked hail from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay and South Africa.
The State Department cited social media posts including harsh criticisms of Kirk and celebratory responses to his killing.
One post by a German national reportedly said, “when fascists die, democrats don’t complain”.
Another by an Argentine user denounced Kirk for spreading “racist, xenophobic, misogynistic rhetoric”.
The revocations coincided with the posthumous awarding of the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Kirk on what would have been his thirty-second birthday.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier declared on social media that “America will not host foreigners who celebrate the death of our fellow citizens,” warning that visa revocations were “under way”.
He said that individuals already in the United States who condoned political assassination risk being deported.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau also publicly directed consular officials to take prompt action against visa holders who “praise, rationalize or make light” of Kirk’s death.
The scope of this visa enforcement move remains unclear.
The State Department said it is continuing to review visa holders and applicants whose public statements reference Kirk’s assassination.
While the policy targets foreigners, critics contend it raises significant questions about speech rights and the boundary between political expression and sanctionable conduct.
The revocations are part of a broader Trump administration strategy to intensify immigration screening tied to social media activity and public commentary, particularly in sensitive cases.
The measure signals a rigid enforcement approach blending national security, immigration, and political speech under the banner of protecting U.S. citizens from those who glorify violence abroad.
