"On Tuesday, the state department announced it was systematically identifying visa holders who celebrated the heinous assassination of Charlie Kirk, declaring in a social media statement that the United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans. The visa cancellations represent an escalating government-wide campaign to suppress criticism of Kirk, who was killed last month. The administration cut visas for nationals from Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Germany and Paraguay."
"Visa revocations under these parameters are censorship, plain and simple, Carrie DeCell, Knight First Amendment Institute's senior staff attorney and legislative adviser, said in a press release. Mere mockery' can't be grounds for adverse government action whether revocation of broadcast licenses or revocation of visas, DeCell said. While the government can revoke visas for many reasons, the First Amendment forbids it from doing so based on viewpoint."
The State Department canceled visas for nationals from Argentina, South Africa, Mexico, Brazil, Germany and Paraguay after identifying social media posts that celebrated Charlie Kirk's assassination. Civil liberties groups contend that revoking visas based on political viewpoints constitutes censorship and violates First Amendment principles. Officials retain authority to revoke visas for many reasons, but viewpoint-based revocation raises constitutional concerns. Some targeted posts had limited reach, prompting questions about expanded government surveillance of social media activity and disproportionate punishment for expressions of opinion.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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