US revokes visas of six foreigners over social media posts about slain activist Charlie Kirk

The US Department of State says it has cancelled the visas of six foreign nationals who made celebratory or mocking comments online about conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was shot dead at a rally in September.

“The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans,” the department posted on X late Tuesday. “The State Department continues to identify visa holders who celebrated the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk.”

The post included screenshots of the offending remarks, which officials said came from individuals in South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Paraguay and Argentina.

One Argentine user was cited as writing that Kirk “devoted his entire life spreading racist, xenophobic, misogynistic rhetoric” and “deserves to burn in hell.” The account’s username was redacted, but the department noted bluntly: “Visa revoked.”

Kirk, 31, was the cofounder of the conservative youth group Turning Point USA and a high-profile supporter of Donald Trump. His death, the result of a shooting at a campaign rally, triggered an outpouring of grief among right-wing figures, and fierce debate online.

President Trump posthumously awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday, calling him a “martyr for truth.”

The visa action marks a sharp escalation in the administration’s ongoing crackdown on foreigners seen as expressing anti-American or “extremist” views online. More than 145 people have already been fired, suspended, or forced to resign from US-based jobs over similar comments, according to The New York Times.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed last month that the department would move to revoke visas for those “who publicly celebrated or excused the assassination of an American citizen.” Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau went further, encouraging users to report any social media accounts of foreigners making such statements.

“I have been disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalising, or making light of the event,” Landau wrote 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 decision comes amid broader scrutiny of visa applicants’ online activity. Since 2019, the US has required applicants to submit social media handles as part of their applications. In June, the Trump administration expanded the rules further, now requiring student visa applicants to make all their accounts public for vetting.