The United States government has revoked the visas of at least six foreigners who publicly celebrated the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, citing national security concerns and moral grounds.
The announcement was made on Tuesday by the Department of State, which shared screenshots of posts made on X by individuals from South Africa, Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Germany, and Paraguay.
The department said it “continues to identify visa holders who celebrated the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk,” adding that the US “has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans.”
Kirk, aged 31, was a prominent conservative commentator and co-founder of Turning Point USA, a youth organization promoting right-wing ideas on college campuses.
He was shot dead while addressing students at Utah Valley University on September 10. Police later arrested 22-year-old Tyler Robinson, who has been charged with aggravated murder.
While many conservatives mourned Kirk as a “martyr for free speech,” critics recalled his controversial record. He had often sparked backlash for comments about race and immigration, with some accusing him of promoting hate speech.
Among those affected by the visa cancellations is South African national Nhlamulo Baloyi, who confirmed his business visa was revoked after describing Kirk’s followers as “trailer trash.”
Similarly, Brazilian comedian Tiago Santineli revealed that his US tourist visa was cancelled after he mocked Kirk’s death online, calling it “a source of pride” for him and his fans.
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The timing of the visa action coincided with President Donald Trump’s decision to award Kirk the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously.
The former president praised Kirk as a “patriot silenced by hate” and accused “far-left radicals” of fostering the hostility that led to his killing.
The visa cancellations form part of a wider crackdown by the Trump administration, which has intensified social media monitoring for visa applicants.
Officials said over 6,000 international student visas have been revoked in 2025 alone — a move critics see as part of the administration’s broader anti-immigration stance.
Vice-President JD Vance also urged citizens to report employers who defended or celebrated Kirk’s death, deepening the polarization surrounding the incident.
The case highlights the growing tension in America’s political climate, where online speech and real-world consequences increasingly collide.
BBC
