U.S. Announces Visa Restrictions for Foreign Nationals Engaged in Censorship of Americans
Introduction
On May 28, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a sweeping new U.S. visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals—particularly government officials—who are deemed responsible for censoring the protected speech of Americans. This unprecedented measure, enacted under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, is a direct response to a rising tide of incidents in which foreign authorities have sought to suppress the free expression of U.S. citizens and residents, both at home and abroad. The policy also addresses foreign efforts to pressure American technology companies into adopting global content moderation standards that would affect Americans’ rights.
This report provides a comprehensive analysis of the new policy, its legal and diplomatic underpinnings, the context that led to its announcement, reactions from domestic and international stakeholders, and the potential implications for U.S. foreign relations, technology companies, and global free speech norms.
