Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Director of Al-Shifa Medical Complex in Gaza, Mohammed Abu Salmiya: A new Israeli massacre against the starved, with 37 starved palestinians killed and more than 270 wounded in less than two hours
Sheikh Qassim: No one should expect us to make peace or surrender
Sheikh Qassem: Anyone demanding disarmament today is effectively calling for handing over weapons to 'Israel'
Sheikh Qassem: We will not accept that Lebanon be annexed to 'Israel' even if the whole world unites for this, and we will not accept that it be taken hostage as long as there is a single living soul among us
Sheikh Qassem: Lebanon is facing an existential threat involving all its sects and regions
Sheikh Qassem: The continued occupation of the five sites is a prelude to expansion, and this is the plan that is sought to be achieved by stripping Lebanon of its power
Sheikh Qassem: Tom Barrack was surprised that the official Lebanese position was unified on the necessity of stopping the aggression before discussing the issue of weapons
Sheikh Qassem: Former US envoy Hochstein gave a clear guarantee regarding 'Israel's' commitment to implementing the agreement
Sheikh Qassem: The issue of the resistance's weapons is purely a Lebanese affair and the Israeli enemy has nothing to do with it, neither directly nor indirectly
Sheikh Qassem: We do not prioritize any course over the other

US goes after foreign authorities 'complicit' in Americans' censorship

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 29 May 2025 09:43
  • 2 Shares
3 Min Read

The new visa policy could bar foreign officials, and possibly their families, accused of censoring Americans, as Washington links immigration control to the protection of civil liberties.

Listen
  • x
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares at the State Department, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP)
    Secretary of State Marco Rubio speaks during a meeting with Spanish Foreign Minister Jose Manuel Albares at the State Department, Thursday, May 22, 2025, in Washington. (AP)

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday announced a new visa policy aimed at foreign officials and individuals accused of involvement in censoring American citizens abroad. The move, framed as a defense of free speech and national sovereignty, marks a significant escalation in Washington’s response to what it views as extraterritorial attempts to silence Americans.

Writing on X, Rubio stated that American citizens have faced “fines, harassment, and even criminal charges” by foreign authorities for exercising their right to free expression abroad.

“Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign officials and persons who are complicit in censoring Americans,” he declared.

Rubio emphasized that the right to free speech is foundational to American identity and warned foreign governments against attempting to undermine it.

“Foreign governments have no authority over the rights of Americans,” he said firmly.

“Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country,” he added.

Related News

Rubio strips 8 Brazilian judges of US visa amid Bolsonaro coup trial

Cuba says new US sanctions will not 'bend the will of the people'

Rubio went on to say that the era of “passive treatment” toward such violations is over, regardless of whether they occur in “Latin America, Europe, or elsewhere.”

Targeting digital censorship, platform pressure

In a follow-up statement, Rubio sharply criticized foreign governments that target Americans for online expression or attempt to pressure US-based platforms into enforcing content restrictions. He called such efforts a breach of US sovereignty and an infringement on the “fundamental right to free speech.”

The State Department clarified that the visa restrictions would also extend to “certain family members” of individuals deemed responsible for such actions.

US censors foreign students

The announcement follows recent reports that the Trump administration temporarily paused student visa interviews while reviewing enhanced social media screening procedures for foreign students. The policy shift has already led to the revocation of over 1,000 student visas.

Many of those affected were reportedly connected to pro-Palestine protests or political activism on campuses such as Harvard and Stanford. Rubio defended the cancellations, stating that visas are a privilege, not a right, and that the US reserves full discretion over who is allowed entry.

This new visa restriction policy forms part of a wider campaign by the current administration to assert greater control over immigration in the context of free speech. It also serves as a warning to foreign officials accused of extraterritorial censorship: engaging in efforts to silence Americans, even abroad, may now carry direct diplomatic consequences.

The US policy shift is likely to heighten tensions with countries accused of suppressing dissent, especially those already under scrutiny for digital surveillance and press crackdowns.

Read next: US halts student Visa processing amid Trump's social media scrutiny

  • Marco Rubio
  • United States
  • Free Speech
  • Immigration Policies

Most Read

Given ample indications Epstein was collating sexual blackmail material on powerful figures for intelligence agencies, comments made by Mirage's cofounder to Ynet take on a chilling character. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Zionist spies innovate AI sexual blackmail tech

  • Analysis
  • 27 Jul 2025
Houthi supporters display a giant Palestinian flag during a weekly anti-US and anti-'Israel' rally in Sanaa, Yemen, Friday March, 28, 2025 (AP)

Open borders so Yemenis march by hundreds of thousands: Al-Houthi

  • Politics
  • 24 Jul 2025
Lebanese Freedom Fighter Georges Abdallah, who was serving a life in Paris, speaks to supporters upon his arrival at Beirut's Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut, Lebanon, Friday, July 25, 2025 (AP)

With resistance, road home is never lost: Georges Abdallah from Beirut

  • Politics
  • 25 Jul 2025
A rescued crew member from the ETERNITY C vessel in a video released by the Yemeni Armed Forces on July 28, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)

Yemen Navy reveals fate of targeted Eternity C ship crew

  • Politics
  • 28 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
Lawmakers attend a session of the Knesset, Israel's parliament, in occupied al-Quds, Monday, July 14, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Tensions erupt between Smotrich and army chief over Gaza strategy

The spokesperson for the Yemeni Armed Forces, Brigadier General Yahya Saree, giving a statement on Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (Yemeni Military Media)
Politics

Yemen targets Ben Gurion Airport in defense of Gaza

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa'ar arrives for the EU-Southern Neighbourhood ministerial meeting at the EU Council building in Brussels, Monday, July 14, 2025. (AP)
Politics

'Israel' summons Dutch ambassador over Amsterdam's ban on ministers

Palestinians collect aid that landed in the Mediterranean Sea after being airdropped over central Gaza, at the shore of Zawaida, Gaza Strip, Tuesday, July 29, 2025 (AP)
Politics

Israeli plans to annex Gaza illegal under international law: Norway

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS