The United States has revoked visas for six foreign nationals who posted critical comments on social media about conservative activist Charlie Kirk following his murder.
The State Department said in a statement that the country has no obligation to host foreigners who express wishes of harm toward Americans. The announcement highlights the government’s effort to monitor social media activity and enforce immigration rules for those deemed hostile to U.S. citizens.
“The State Department continues to identify visa holders who celebrated the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk,” the statement read.
Officials provided examples of six foreign nationals no longer welcome in the United States. The individuals were from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, and South Africa. Although their names were not released, some identities were traceable through screenshots shared by the department.
One post cited in the announcement criticized Kirk, saying: “Charlie Kirk won’t be remembered as a hero. He was used to astroturf a movement of white nationalist trailer trash!”
The department emphasized that Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio aim to protect U.S. citizens, borders, and culture by enforcing immigration laws. “Aliens who take advantage of America’s hospitality while celebrating the assassination of our citizens will be removed,” the statement added.
Last month, Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau encouraged social media users to report posts critical of Kirk. He said consular officials were instructed to take appropriate actions against individuals praising or rationalizing the attack.
This action is part of a broader initiative to scrutinize foreign visitors’ social media activity. The administration has previously expelled foreign students accused of unrest during protests about Israel’s actions in Gaza and has required visitors to make social media accounts publicly accessible for screening.
In recent months, the U.S. government has taken further measures against foreign officials and visitors. South Africa’s ambassador to the U.S. was expelled for critical comments about Trump. Visas for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend the United Nations General Assembly were revoked, along with visas for British musical duo Bob Vylan.
The State Department is also reviewing the status of over 55 million visa holders to ensure compliance with U.S. standards. Officials stress that foreign nationals found violating these rules could face visa cancellation or expulsion.
Civil rights organizations have criticized these actions as violations of free speech rights. They argue that even non-citizens should enjoy certain protections when expressing opinions online, especially if the speech does not directly threaten individuals.
Experts say the visa revocations reflect a significant policy shift in handling foreign nationals who post politically sensitive content online. The move has drawn attention internationally, raising concerns over how social media activity could affect travel and diplomatic relations.
The State Department maintains that these measures are necessary to safeguard U.S. citizens. Officials claim the policies reinforce accountability and signal that threats or praise for violence against Americans will not be tolerated.
Foreign nationals affected by the new rules may face long-term travel restrictions, while civil liberties advocates continue to call for clearer guidelines to balance security with freedom of expression.
This latest decision underlines how the U.S. government is increasingly monitoring social media to assess potential risks posed by visitors. The administration insists that such actions are legal, consistent with immigration law, and essential to protecting citizens from harm.
