The Trump administration has revoked the U.S. visas of at least 50 Mexican politicians and government officials as part of its widening effort to dismantle drug cartels and their alleged political allies, Reuters reported Oct. 14.
Two Mexican officials told the outlet that those affected include members of Mexico’s ruling Morena Party, led by Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, as well as dozens of figures from other parties.
A senior State Department official told Reuters that “[v]isas, including those held by foreign officials, may be revoked at any time” for “activities that run contrary to America’s national interest.”
While the names have not been publicly released, at least four officials have publicly acknowledged losing their visas, including Baja California Gov. Marina del Pilar Ávila, who has denied any links to organized crime.
The move is part of a broader campaign of visa revocations. Last month, the administration revoked Colombian President Gustavo Petro’s visa after he participated in a demonstration protesting Israel’s and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s actions in Gaza, according to FOX News. Officials reportedly called his participation “reckless and incendiary.”
FOX reported that the U.S. has also stripped visas from more than 20 judges in Brazil and 14 political and business figures in Costa Rica, including former Costa Rica president Oscar Arias, who is also a Nobel laureate.
On Oct. 14, the department announced a separate action revoking visas for six foreign nationals who publicly mocked or celebrated the assassination of conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The individuals were from South Africa, Argentina, Mexico, Brazil, Germany, and Paraguay.
“The United States has no obligation to host foreigners who wish death on Americans,” the department said on X, listing examples of online comments that prompted the expulsions.
One Argentine user said that Kirk “devoted his entire life spreading racist, xenophobic, misogynistic rhetoric.” Another person posted in German: “when fascists die, democrats don’t complain,” according to the department.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decisions reflect a broader tightening of visa standards.
“If you hate our country, if you are inciting violence, if you are siding with terrorists — we have revoked visas of pro-Hamas individuals in our country who are engaging with some of the campus shutdowns and locking down American universities — we are not going to tolerate illegal behavior,” Leavitt said during a press conference Oct 14, adding, “Having a visa to this country is a privilege. It is not a right, and if you’re wishing death upon America, you won’t be welcomed here anymore.”
The post Trump administration launches sweeping visa crackdown appeared first on CatholicVote org.