The United States Department of State has revoked the visas of at least six foreign nationals over social media posts that appeared to celebrate or justify the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
In a sharply worded statement posted on X Tuesday evening, the Department declared, “The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans.”
The announcement was accompanied by screenshots and details of posts from individuals in South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay, Germany, and Argentina, all of whom have now been deemed “no longer welcome in the US.”
The State Department wrote, “The State Department continues to identify visa holders who celebrated the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk. Here are just a few examples of aliens who are no longer welcome in the US: An Argentine national said that Kirk “devoted his entire life spreading racist, xenophobic, misogynistic rhetoric” and deserves to burn in hell. Visa revoked.
“A South African national mocked Americans grieving the loss of Kirk, saying “they’re hurt that the racist rally ended in attempted martyrdom” and alleging “he was used to astroturf a movement of white nationalist trailer trash.”Visa revoked.
“A Mexican national said that Kirk “died being a racist, he died being a misogynist,” and stated that “there are people who deserve to die. There are people who would make the world better off dead.” Visa revoked.
“A Brazilian national charged that “Charlie Kirk was the reason for a Nazi rally where they marched in homage to him” and that Kirk “DIED TOO LATE.” Visa revoked.
“A German national celebrated Kirk’s death and attempted to justify his murder, writing, “when fascists die, democrats don’t complain.” Visa revoked.
“A Paraguayan national charged that “Charlie Kirk was a son of a b** and he died by his own rules.” Visa revoked.
“#POTUS and #SecRubio will defend our borders, our culture, and our citizens by enforcing our immigration laws. Aliens who take advantage of America’s hospitality while celebrating the assassination of our citizens will be removed.”
The move comes days after Kirk was posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by former President Donald Trump. The 31-year-old co-founder of Turning Point USA was widely credited with mobilising young conservative voters for Trump and was described by the president as a “martyr for truth.”
His death led to a wave of social media commentary on the US left and right about his politics, as Trump elevated him to the status of a “martyr for truth” during a memorial service.
The incident has triggered a widespread social media crackdown. A New York Times investigation found that more than 145 people in the U.S. were fired, suspended, or resigned over posts about Kirk.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio had previously warned that the administration could revoke visas over such comments, while Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau urged the public to report offending posts by foreign nationals.
“I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalising, or making light of the event, and have directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action,” Landau tweeted in September. “Please feel free to bring such comments by foreigners to my attention so that the [State Department] can protect the American people.”
The visa action also comes amid a wider tightening of U.S. immigration policy. Since June, visa applicants, especially students, have been required to make their social media accounts public for vetting.
The move follows a crackdown on international students who supported pro-Palestine protests on university and college campuses across the US under the Trump administration.
A State Department official told Fox News in August that over 6,000 student visas had been revoked this year, with hundreds cancelled over alleged links to “terrorism” or pro-Hamas fundraising activity.
