Rubio restricts visas of foreign officials censoring Americans

Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday announced a visa restriction policy for any foreigners who censor Americans' free speech.

"For too long, Americans have been fined, harassed, and even charged by foreign authorities for exercising their free speech rights," Rubio posted on X. "Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign officials and persons who are complicit in censoring Americans.

"Free speech is essential to the American way of life – a birthright over which foreign governments have no authority. Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country. Whether in Latin America, Europe, or elsewhere, the days of passive treatment for those who work to undermine the rights of Americans are over."

While the U.S. has long condemned censorship from China, Russia, Iran, and Cuba, the Trump administration has also focused on free speech infringement among its allies, including the European Union.

A State Department delegation is reportedly visiting Ireland this week to discuss European Union legislation that will impact American companies based in Ireland, especially technology companies.

The law is purported to protect children by moderating online content and harmful practices like child pornography, but in reality, it has been used to target political speech deemed to be hateful or offensive by European governments, according to a State Department official. If U.S. social media companies don't conform to the censorship rules, then they will face heavy fines.