On May 28, 2025, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new policy imposing visa bans on foreign nationals deemed responsible for censoring Americans’ free speech. This measure is part of a broader initiative by the Trump administration to counteract international efforts perceived as undermining U.S. citizens’ rights to express themselves online.(The Times, Politico)
Secretary Rubio emphasized that foreign officials who penalize American citizens for expressing opinions on U.S.-based platforms will be denied entry into the United States. He highlighted that individuals complicit in pressuring U.S. tech companies to adopt global content moderation policies affecting American users could also be targeted by this policy .(The Times, Politico)
While specific instances of censorship were not detailed, the policy appears to be a response to concerns over increasing international interference in online speech. The U.S. has previously criticized European regulations, such as the EU’s Digital Markets Act, for imposing content moderation standards that may conflict with American values of free expression.(Politico)
This move signals a more assertive stance by the U.S. in defending its citizens’ rights to free speech against foreign censorship efforts. The policy’s implementation and its impact on international relations, particularly with European allies, remain to be seen.
Marco Rubio Picture on Wikimedia by Michael Vadon
