US will not issue visas to foreigners who « censor Americans »
The United States will impose prohibitions on visa visas to foreign citizens who believe they censor Americans, the Secretary of State said on Wednesday, presenting a new policy that Marco Rubio proposed to be directed to officials regulating US technology companies.
Rubio made a statement explaining that a new visa restriction policy would apply to foreign citizens responsible for the censorship of the United States protected in the United States.
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He said it was unacceptably foreign officials to issue – or threaten issuance – arrest warrants for social media publications made from US soil.
« It is similarly an unacceptable foreign officials to require US technology platforms to adopt global content moderation policies or to participate in a censorship that goes beyond their powers and also extends to the US, » Rubio said.
His statement does not indicate specific countries or persons who will be prohibited, but it is noted that some foreign officials have taken « striking censorship actions against US technology companies and US citizens and residents, provided that they have no authority to do so. »
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« Too long, the Americans have been fined, harassed and even accused by foreign authorities for exercising their right to freedom of expression. Today I declare a new policy of limiting visas that will apply to foreign officials and persons who are not in the censorship of Americans. said in the statement of the Secretary of State.
« Foreigners who work to undermine Americans ‘rights should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country. Whether they are in Latin America, Europe or elsewhere, the days of passive attitude towards those working to undermine Americans’ rights have gone. »
« Excellent news! », The chairman of the Legal Committee in the House of Representatives Jim Jordan wrote in the X Republican of Ohio). « In the last year, we have exposed efforts for foreign censorship. Now those who want to silence your word will be held accountable. »
A few weeks ago, Jordan met with the President of the European Commission on technological sovereignty, Henna Virkunn, during a visit to Washington, along with the leaders of major US technology companies. This happened in the context of sharp criticism by the Republican Party to EU regulations such as the European Digital Markets Act.
President Donald Trump and his assistants have strengthened the pressure on global allies of the United States – especially in Europe – because of the administration, describes as increasing hostility to freedom of expression. One of the first major moves in the foreign policy of the Second Trump administration was the speech of Vice President Jay Di Vance at the Munich Security Conference in February, where he criticized European leaders for censorship.
Usually, US visa bans are introduced on the grounds that those affected are involved in corruption or human rights disorders. There are also sanctions against Bulgarian politicians and businessmen. Bans often extend to the spouse and children of the perpetrator, which confuses everything from plans to enroll in college to shopping in the United States.
Washington often does not indicate whom it is specifically forbidden to enter US territory. In part, this is because many visa documents are confidential. But unlawling publicly in names, on the other hand, gives rise to paranoia among people abroad who wonder if they are target and which foreigners may be more likely to change their behavior to maintain their access to the United States.
