U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has introduced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals deemed responsible for censoring protected speech within the United States.

“Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign nationals who are responsible for censorship of protected expression in the United States. It is unacceptable for foreign officials to issue or threaten arrest warrants on U.S. citizens or U.S. residents for social media posts on American platforms while physically present on U.S. soil,” said Secretary Rubio in an official statement on May 28, 2025. 

He further underscored that it is equally unacceptable for foreign officials to pressure American technology platforms to implement global content moderation standards or engage in censorship activities that overreach their jurisdiction and affect content within the United States.

“We will not tolerate encroachments upon American sovereignty, especially when such encroachments undermine the exercise of our fundamental right to free speech,” Rubio stated, adding that free speech remains one of the most cherished rights enjoyed by Americans. He emphasized that this right, enshrined in the U.S. Constitution, has long distinguished the United States as a global symbol of freedom.

“Even as we take action to reject censorship at home, we see troubling instances of foreign governments and foreign officials picking up the slack,” he added. “In some instances, foreign officials have taken flagrant censorship actions against U.S. tech companies and U.S. citizens and residents when they have no authority to do so.”

According to the State Department, the visa restriction policy is being implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act. This provision grants the Secretary of State the authority to deem individuals inadmissible if their entry into the U.S. would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences. The policy may also extend to certain family members of the individuals in question.

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