The United States on Wednesday announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals who attempt to censor or intimidate Americans, especially in relation to social media content. Secretary of State Marco Rubio strongly condemned actions by foreign officials who issue or threaten arrest warrants on US citizens or residents for posts made on American social media platforms while physically present on US soil. He described such behaviour as "unacceptable" and also criticised foreign governments demanding content moderation from US-based tech companies.

In his statement, Rubio emphasised the importance of free speech, calling it "among the most cherished rights we enjoy as Americans." He highlighted that the right to free expression is legally enshrined in the US Constitution and has helped position the country as a global beacon of freedom. While the US actively opposes censorship domestically, Rubio noted troubling instances where foreign governments have tried to exert control over American platforms and citizens from abroad.

New Visa Policy Targets Foreign Censorship

"Foreign officials have taken flagrant censorship actions against US tech companies and US citizens and residents when they have no authority to do so," Rubio said. He announced the new visa restriction policy as a direct response to these overreaches. "It is unacceptable for foreign officials to issue or threaten arrest warrants on US citizens or US residents for social media posts on American platforms while physically present on US soil," Rubio said. "It is similarly unacceptable for foreign officials to demand that American tech platforms adopt global content moderation policies or engage in censorship activity that reaches beyond their authority and into the United States."

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Legal Basis And Broader Implications

The policy, based on Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, grants the Secretary of State the authority to deny entry to any foreign national whose presence "would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States." This can include family members related to such individuals.

Impact On International Students And Social Media Usage

In addition to these visa restrictions, the Trump administration has introduced stricter rules affecting international students in the US. These include the possibility of visa revocation if students drop classes, skip courses, or engage in unauthorised employment. Students have also been warned against posting content on social media platforms like Instagram, X, and TikTok that could be perceived as a "national security threat."

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