US Imposes Visa Restrictions on Fact-Checkers and Online Safety Professionals
The administration of President Donald Trump has imposed “censorship restrictions” on issuing visas to fact-checkers, content moderators, compliance officers, and professionals involved in online safety. Alleging interference in freedom of expression and control over information, the United States has sent related instructions to its embassies around the world.
The British news agency Reuters reported the development, citing an internal memo from the U.S. State Department. According to the document obtained by Reuters, consular officers have been instructed to deny visa applications of individuals “involved in censorship or attempts to censor protected speech,” as well as their associates. The directive is to be enforced strictly for journalists, tourist visa applicants, and especially H-1B visa applicants.
Applicants’ professional backgrounds, LinkedIn profiles, and social media accounts will be scrutinized. Evidence of involvement in fact-checking, content moderation, trust and safety roles, or compliance-related work will make applicants ineligible for U.S. visas.
The policy is believed to be aimed particularly at professionals working in online safety, including those handling harmful content involving children or other forms of dangerous online material. Officials responsible for implementing the United Kingdom’s 2023 Online Safety Act may also fall under this restriction.
The Trump administration claims the policy is designed to protect freedom of expression, referencing the social media bans imposed on Trump after the January 6, 2021 Capitol attack.
Alice Goguien Hansberger, Vice President of Trust and Safety at PartnerHero, expressed surprise at equating trust and safety work with censorship. She noted that trust and safety professionals perform life-saving tasks, including protecting children, preventing fraud, and combating exploitation.
It is noteworthy that skilled technology professionals from countries such as India and China typically receive a large share of H-1B visas.
DBTech/NT/IK/OR
