The Trump administration has canceled the visas of six individuals who were found to have made disrespectful remarks or jokes about the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk in Utah last month. The State Department made this decision after examining their social media content related to Kirk’s death.
This announcement coincided with President Donald Trump awarding Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously. Trump praised Kirk as a “great American hero” and a “martyr” for freedom at his funeral in September. Individuals who have made comments about Kirk have faced repercussions, including dismissals or disciplinary actions, sparking concerns about freedom of speech.
The six individuals whose visas were revoked hailed from Argentina, Brazil, Germany, Mexico, Paraguay, and South Africa, but their identities were not disclosed.
President Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized their commitment to safeguarding borders and citizens by upholding immigration laws. They stated that individuals who exploit American hospitality while showing support for the assassination of citizens will be deported.
Vice-President JD Vance and other officials have urged the public to report offensive language concerning Kirk online. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau urged social media users to notify him of any relevant posts condemning those who celebrated or trivialized the event.
In a separate move, the administration has intensified its efforts to identify and potentially remove thousands of foreigners in the U.S., particularly students, who have either incited or participated in unrest or endorsed protests against Israel’s military actions in Gaza. The administration has also refused visas to applicants critical of its policies on social media.
Notable cases include expelling South Africa’s ambassador for criticizing Trump, revoking Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas’s visa for the UN General Assembly, and denying visas to British punk-rap duo Bob Vylan. The administration is scrutinizing over 55 million current U.S. visa holders for potential violations.
Critics, including civil rights groups, have condemned these actions as violations of freedom of speech protections outlined in the U.S. Constitution, which extend to all individuals in the country, not just American citizens.