The US State Department has cancelled the visas of six foreign nationals for online comments celebrating the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, who was shot at a political rally in September.
In a statement posted on X on Tuesday, the department said: “The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans. We continue to identify visa holders who celebrated the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk.” Screenshots of offending social media posts were included, showing users from South Africa, Brazil, Paraguay, Mexico, and Argentina.
One Argentine account reportedly described Kirk — cofounder of the conservative Turning Point student organisation — as someone who “devoted his entire life spreading racist, xenophobic, misogynistic rhetoric” and “deserves to burn in hell.” The State Department flagged this comment as grounds for revocation.
Kirk, 31 at the time of his death, had emerged as a prominent voice mobilising young voters for former President Donald Trump, who posthumously awarded him the Presidential Medal of Freedom on Tuesday. His death sparked waves of commentary online, polarising opinion across the US political spectrum.
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The crackdown on social media remarks comes as part of a broader push under the Trump administration to scrutinise foreign nationals’ online activity. Since 2019, visa applicants have been required to provide social media handles, and in June, students seeking US visas were instructed to make all their accounts accessible for review.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau urged internet users to report foreign social media accounts promoting violence against Americans. “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 said in September.
Visa cancellations are not limited to Kirk-related posts. In August, the department reportedly revoked more than 6,000 student visas for reasons including alleged legal violations, support for militant groups, or participation in pro-Palestine protests on US campuses.
The six newly affected visa holders join a growing list of foreigners facing revocation for statements deemed hostile to American citizens, reflecting the US government’s increasingly stringent approach to social media activity in visa enforcement.