The U.S. Department of State has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals who engage in censorship activities against Americans. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the policy is designed to protect free speech, which he described as "among the most cherished rights we enjoy as Americans."
Rubio expressed concern over instances where foreign officials have taken actions against U.S. tech companies and citizens without proper authority. He highlighted cases where foreign officials have issued or threatened arrest warrants for social media posts made by U.S. citizens or residents on American platforms while they are physically present in the United States.
The new policy aims to address these issues by applying visa restrictions to those responsible for such censorship activities. Rubio emphasized that it is unacceptable for foreign officials to demand content moderation policies from American tech platforms that extend beyond their jurisdiction into the United States.
"This visa restriction policy is pursuant to Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act," Rubio explained, noting that this section allows the Secretary of State to deem any alien inadmissible if their entry could have serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States. The restrictions may also apply to certain family members of those involved in censorship activities.
Rubio concluded by stating, "We will not tolerate encroachments upon American sovereignty, especially when such encroachments undermine the exercise of our fundamental right to free speech."