The United States Department of State has cancelled the visas of at least six foreign citizens following social media posts that appeared to applaud or justify the assassination of conservative commentator Charlie Kirk.
In a statement posted on X on Tuesday night, the Department stressed that the U.S. “has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans.” The announcement was accompanied by screenshots of online comments from individuals residing in South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay, Germany, and Argentina, all of whom have now been declared “no longer welcome in the U.S.”
According to the statement, the Department has been identifying visa holders who expressed support for the killing of Kirk. It listed examples, including an Argentine national who described Kirk as someone who “spread racist, xenophobic, misogynistic rhetoric” and deserved to “burn in hell.” Another individual from South Africa mocked Americans mourning Kirk’s death, claiming he was “used to astroturf a movement of white nationalist trailer trash.”
Similarly, a Mexican national wrote that Kirk “died being a racist, he died being a misogynist,” adding that “there are people who deserve to die.” The post led to immediate visa revocation. A Brazilian was cited for calling Kirk “the reason for a Nazi rally” and wrote that he “died too late.” A German national defended the killing, saying “when fascists die, democrats don’t complain,” while a Paraguayan user called Kirk “a son of a b** who died by his own rules.”
The State Department reaffirmed its stance, stating that “the President and Secretary Rubio will defend our borders, our culture, and our citizens by enforcing immigration laws. Foreign nationals who exploit America’s hospitality while celebrating the assassination of its citizens will be removed.”
The visa action comes shortly after former U.S. President Donald Trump posthumously awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom to Kirk. The 31-year-old, who co-founded Turning Point USA, was credited with inspiring young conservative voters and was described by Trump as a “martyr for truth.”
Kirk’s death has sparked intense debate across political lines, with supporters and critics engaging in heated exchanges on social media. According to Okay News, the controversy has also led to professional consequences for some Americans. A report by The New York Times revealed that more than 145 people in the U.S. had been fired, suspended, or forced to resign over posts related to the incident.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio had earlier warned that the administration might revoke visas of foreigners making such remarks. His deputy, Christopher Landau, also encouraged Americans to report online comments that appeared to support or make light of Kirk’s killing.
“I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising or rationalising the event,” Landau said in September. “I have directed our consular officials to take appropriate action. Please feel free to report such comments by foreign nationals so the Department can protect the American people.”
The move is part of a broader tightening of immigration regulations in the United States. Since June, new visa applicants, particularly students, have been required to make their social media accounts accessible for security vetting.
The stricter policy echoes similar actions taken earlier under the Trump administration, which had targeted foreign students who participated in pro-Palestine demonstrations on U.S. campuses.
In August, a State Department official told Fox News that more than 6,000 student visas had been revoked this year alone, with several linked to alleged terrorism ties or pro-Hamas fundraising efforts.
