State Dept. Expels 6 Foreigners Who Celebrated Kirk's Death

Paul Riverbank, 10/15/2025In a landmark move, the State Department has revoked visas from six foreign nationals who celebrated Charlie Kirk's assassination on social media. This unprecedented action signals a significant shift in how online behavior can affect immigration status, raising important questions about free speech and national security.

Late Tuesday, State Department officials announced the visa cancellations – targeting individuals from six countries who had posted celebratory or inflammatory remarks about Charlie Kirk's assassination. The timing wasn't coincidental. It came just hours after President Trump awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.

"We won't tolerate those who celebrate violence against Americans," Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau told reporters during an impromptu briefing. He looked visibly disturbed while describing some of the social media posts in question.

What makes this particularly noteworthy is the public nature of the enforcement. The State Department's X account documented each revocation individually – something I've never seen in my years covering diplomatic affairs. They posted screenshots of the offensive comments, each followed by two stark words: "Visa revoked."

The individuals – from Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, Germany, Brazil and Paraguay – had their access to the U.S. stripped after posts that ranged from mock celebration to outright justification of the September 10 killing at Utah Valley University. Some posts were quickly deleted, but screenshots had already been archived by vigilant social media users.

Vice President Vance's call for citizens to report concerning online content adds another layer to this story. It's reminiscent of post-9/11 "see something, say something" campaigns, but updated for the social media age. The administration seems to be testing a new model of public-private partnership in national security.

But here's what's keeping policy experts up at night: this sets a precedent for using social media behavior as grounds for visa revocation. While few would argue against the current application, the broader implications for diplomatic relations and immigration policy deserve careful consideration.

The State Department's message couldn't be clearer – foreign nationals celebrating violence against Americans will face consequences. Yet as someone who's watched immigration policy evolve over three administrations, I can't help but wonder how this new standard will be applied in less clear-cut cases.

This isn't just about six visa revocations. It's about establishing new boundaries in our increasingly interconnected world, where a tweet can now cost someone their access to America. The ripple effects of this policy shift will likely be felt far beyond today's headlines.

The Biden administration's unprecedented move to revoke visas from six foreign nationals over social media comments marks a striking shift in how online behavior intersects with immigration policy. I've covered immigration for two decades, and this represents a remarkable departure from traditional visa enforcement practices.Late Tuesday, State Department officials announced the visa cancellations – targeting individuals from six countries who had posted celebratory or inflammatory remarks about Charlie Kirk's assassination. The timing wasn't coincidental. It came just hours after President Trump awarded Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously."We won't tolerate those who celebrate violence against Americans," Deputy Secretary Christopher Landau told reporters during an impromptu briefing. He looked visibly disturbed while describing some of the social media posts in question.What makes this particularly noteworthy is the public nature of the enforcement. The State Department's X account documented each revocation individually – something I've never seen in my years covering diplomatic affairs. They posted screenshots of the offensive comments, each followed by two stark words: "Visa revoked."The individuals – from Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, Germany, Brazil and Paraguay – had their access to the U.S. stripped after posts that ranged from mock celebration to outright justification of the September 10 killing at Utah Valley University. Some posts were quickly deleted, but screenshots had already been archived by vigilant social media users.Vice President Vance's call for citizens to report concerning online content adds another layer to this story. It's reminiscent of post-9/11 "see something, say something" campaigns, but updated for the social media age. The administration seems to be testing a new model of public-private partnership in national security.But here's what's keeping policy experts up at night: this sets a precedent for using social media behavior as grounds for visa revocation. While few would argue against the current application, the broader implications for diplomatic relations and immigration policy deserve careful consideration.The State Department's message couldn't be clearer – foreign nationals celebrating violence against Americans will face consequences. Yet as someone who's watched immigration policy evolve over three administrations, I can't help but wonder how this new standard will be applied in less clear-cut cases.This isn't just about six visa revocations. It's about establishing new boundaries in our increasingly interconnected world, where a tweet can now cost someone their access to America. The ripple effects of this policy shift will likely be felt far beyond today's headlines.