On May 28, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals who engage in censorship activities against Americans. This policy addresses actions by foreign officials who have attempted to censor U.S. tech companies and citizens without proper authority.
"Free speech is among the most cherished rights we enjoy as Americans," stated Rubio. He emphasized that while the U.S. combats domestic censorship, there are concerning instances of foreign governments attempting to impose restrictions on American platforms and individuals.
The new policy aims to prevent foreign officials from issuing or threatening arrest warrants against U.S. citizens or residents for social media activity conducted within the United States. Additionally, it seeks to stop demands from these officials for American tech platforms to adopt global content moderation policies that extend beyond their jurisdiction.
Rubio made clear that such actions will not be tolerated as they infringe upon American sovereignty and undermine free speech rights. The visa restrictions are authorized under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, which 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 these activities.