State Department to deny visas to fact checkers and others, citing 'censorship'

"The State Department is instructing its staff to reject visa applications from people who worked on fact-checking, content moderation or other activities the Trump administration considers "censorship" of Americans' speech. The directive, sent in an internal memo on Tuesday, is focused on applicants for H-1B visas for highly skilled workers, which are frequently used by tech companies, among other sectors. The memo was first reported by Reuters; NPR also obtained a copy."

""If you uncover evidence an applicant was responsible for, or complicit in, censorship or attempted censorship of protected expression in the United States, you should pursue a finding that the applicant is ineligible" for a visa, the memo says. It refers to a policy announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in May restricting visas from being issued to "foreign officials and persons who are complicit in censoring Americans.""

The State Department instructs staff to reject visa applications from people who worked on fact‑checking, content moderation, or other activities characterized as censorship of Americans' speech. The directive focuses on applicants for H‑1B visas commonly used by tech companies and other sectors. Consular officers are told to pursue a finding of ineligibility if evidence shows an applicant was responsible for or complicit in censorship or attempted censorship of protected expression in the United States. The policy references a May restriction by Secretary of State Marco Rubio limiting visas for foreign officials and others complicit in censoring Americans. Consular officers are directed to thoroughly explore applicants' work histories, especially in tech and trust‑and‑safety roles.

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