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State Department says warnings from foreign missions to their nationals about U.S. behavior are routine reminders to follow the law
Summary
At a State Department briefing, the spokesperson defended foreign embassies’ social-media posts warning nationals about lawbreaking in the United States as appropriate reminders that visas are privileges, not entitlements.
Reporters asked whether a wave of posts by foreign embassies and consulates advising their citizens not to travel to the United States for potential protests or unlawful acts represented a coordinated, aggressive campaign. The State Department spokesperson said such reminders are appropriate and consistent with sovereign countries’ interest in controlling entry and ensuring visitors follow the law.
The spokesperson emphasized that visas and green cards are privileges granted based on applicants’ representations, and that consular officers interview applicants about their intent. “Every sovereign nation in the world has an interest in controlling who comes in, knowing who's coming into their country, what their intentions are,” the spokesperson said. The department declined to say whether individual visa revocations had occurred in related cases.
The briefing noted that the messages were timely given recent public incidents and broader concerns about rising violence and extremist attitudes. No new directive or rule change affecting the visa application form or consular adjudication process was announced at the briefing.
