The State Department said it will move to revoke U.S. visas held by foreign nationals who “glorify violence” online after the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a Utah college event.
Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau posted on X on Thursday that officials were monitoring social media and had directed consular officers to take appropriate action. "In light of yesterday’s horrific assassination of a leading political figure, I want to underscore that foreigners who glorify violence and hatred are not welcome victors to our country," he wrote, and urged users to forward examples of praise or mockery by foreigners so the department could respond.
Landau added in a follow-up that he had been "disgusted to see some on social media praising, rationalizing, or making light of the event," and had "directed our consular officials to undertake appropriate action. Please feel free to bring such comments by foreigners to my attention so that the @StateDept can protect the American people." He also responded to some posts with an image of the U.S. seal in a stylized spotlight graphic.
The threat of visa revocations followed the shooting Wednesday night at Utah Valley University, where Kirk, a founder of Turning Point USA and a prominent conservative media figure, was shot while addressing a large crowd on the inaugural stop of his American Comeback Tour. Law enforcement officials said Kirk was struck by a single bullet to the neck and was later pronounced dead. The family has been notified; Kirk was described by supporters as a married father of two.
Security footage and photographs released by the FBI on Thursday show a person of interest in dark clothing, a hat and sunglasses who fled the scene. The FBI has offered a reward of up to $100,000 for information leading to the suspect’s identification and arrest and said the individual remained at large Thursday night.
Senators and political figures reacted to the killing. Secretary of State Marco Rubio mourned Kirk’s death on television Thursday, saying the activist’s patriotism and devotion to America would endure. "Charlie is someone I’ve gotten to know personally, and it’s just heartbreaking to see," Rubio said. "A great young man is dead, and a family’s been shattered. There’s no place for this in America."
A candlelight vigil was held near the university as supporters and students gathered to mourn. The shooting prompted criticism across the political spectrum and renewed calls for heightened security at political events.
The department’s announcement echoes earlier efforts this year to scrutinize foreign nationals' online statements. In the months following large-scale violence in the Middle East, the State Department said it would review the social media of foreign-born college students and revoke visas for those expressing support for designated terrorist groups or praising extremist violence; officials have said more than 6,000 student visas were revoked under that policy.
Consular action can include visa cancellation and removal proceedings for nonimmigrants and immigrants who violate the terms of their visas. Officials did not specify the standards or procedures that would be used to determine when online content by a foreign national rises to the level warranting revocation in connection with the Kirk case, but the department’s posts sought public assistance in identifying examples.
The FBI has asked anyone with information about the suspect to contact local authorities or the bureau’s tip line. Authorities continue to investigate the shooting, and federal and local officials said they would coordinate on both the criminal case and any related immigration actions prompted by celebratory posts from foreign nationals.
Reporting from law enforcement and State Department statements provided the basis for this account.