Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new penalties Wednesday against foreign officials who engage in censorship of Americans, saying they could be denied visas to enter the U.S.
He did list any particular targets, though he and President Trump have been critical of European online content rules and in Brazil, where that country’s top judge has launched a crackdown on online content.
“For too long, Americans have been fined, harassed, and even charged by foreign authorities for exercising their free speech rights,” Mr. Rubio said on social media. “Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign officials and persons who are complicit in censoring Americans. Free speech is essential to the American way of life – a birthright over which foreign governments have no authority.”
He is flexing a portion of the immigration law that gives the State Department power to block admission of any foreigner whose arrival would “have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences for the United States.”
He’s used that same provision against travel companies that facilitate illegal immigration to the U.S.
While he didn’t list specific targets, Mr. Rubio did point to Latin America and Europe as places where he saw “work to undermine the rights of Americans.”
His announcement on social media was cheered by Eduardo Bolsonaro, son of the former president of Brazil who is mounting a comeback effort and who has been targeted by that country’s high court.
“Congratulations! In Brazil we are full of that. America is bringing hope for all freedom fighters,” the son said.
Mr. Rubio, in a follow-up statement issued by the State Department, said his move comes as the Trump administration is working to reduce censorship here at home.
Critics online accused him of hypocrisy, pointing to President Trump’s attempt to boot The Associated Press out of its special access to Oval Office events, and Mr. Rubio’s own effort to revoke visas of foreign students who have protested over Israel’s war in Gaza.
• Stephen Dinan can be reached at sdinan@washingtontimes.com.