The United States has revoked the visas of six foreign nationals who posted critical comments on social media about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The State Department said the U.S. has “no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans.” Officials added that the department is actively identifying visa holders who celebrated the murder of Kirk.
The announcement included a thread on the social media platform X, owned by Elon Musk. It listed six foreign nationals from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, and South Africa as examples of individuals no longer welcome in the U.S. Screenshots shared in the thread allowed the tracing of two people’s identities, though names were not formally released.
One of the posts cited by the department said: “Charlie Kirk won’t be remembered as a hero. He was used to astroturf a movement of white nationalist trailer trash!”
The statement concluded with a warning that Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio are committed to defending U.S. borders, culture, and citizens. “Aliens who take advantage of America’s hospitality while celebrating the assassination of our citizens will be removed,” the department said.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau previously urged social media users to report posts critical of Kirk. He stated that consular officials had been directed to take appropriate action against anyone praising or rationalizing the assassination.
This step is part of a wider effort by the administration to scrutinize foreign nationals’ online activity. Authorities have previously monitored and expelled foreign students accused of participating in unrest during protests over Israel’s actions in Gaza. Visitors are also required to make social media accounts publicly accessible for screening before entering the U.S.
In recent months, the government has taken further action against foreign officials and visitors. The U.S. expelled South Africa’s ambassador for remarks critical of Trump, revoked a visa for Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas to attend the United Nations General Assembly, and canceled visas for the British music duo Bob Vylan.
The State Department has also announced that it is reviewing the status of more than 55 million visa holders to ensure compliance with U.S. standards. Officials say violations may lead to visa cancellations or restrictions.
Civil rights groups have criticized these actions as violations of freedom of speech, arguing that constitutional protections should apply to anyone in the U.S., not only citizens. Critics warn that targeting individuals for expressing opinions online may have wider implications for international travel and diplomacy.
Experts say the visa revocations mark a notable shift in U.S. policy, showing the administration’s intent to hold foreign nationals accountable for social media content perceived as threatening to Americans.
Officials insist the measures are necessary to protect citizens and uphold immigration laws. They claim the policies signal that threats or praise for violence against Americans will not be tolerated and reinforce accountability for all visitors to the U.S.
Foreign nationals affected by these policies may face long-term restrictions on travel. Civil liberties advocates continue to call for clear guidelines to balance security concerns with freedom of expression.
The latest visa cancellations underscore the growing role of social media monitoring in U.S. immigration enforcement. Authorities emphasize that these actions are consistent with existing laws and essential for the safety of American citizens.
