Congressman Darrell Issa, District 48 | Official U.S. House headshot
Congressman Darrell Issa, District 48 | Official U.S. House headshot
Foreign officials who infringe on the First Amendment rights of American citizens may face new repercussions due to a legislative initiative by Congressman Darrell Issa and fellow House members, Congresswoman Maria Salazar, Congressman Michael Baumgartner, and Congressman Brandon Gill.
The proposed No Censors on Our Shores Act of 2025 aims to establish legal measures that allow for the refusal of entry or deportation of foreign government officials if they engage in actions against American citizens within the U.S. that would violate their First Amendment rights.
Rep. Issa stated, “Last year, we saw a shameful abuse of power by the Supreme Court in Brazil that targeted an American citizen named Elon Musk and blocked access to X, a privately held American company — and we haven’t forgotten it.” He criticized the Biden Administration's response and emphasized stopping such abuses globally.
Rep. Salazar expressed concern over international censorship efforts led by figures like Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes. She asserted, “Freedom of Speech is a natural and inalienable right which knows no borders.”
Highlighting the importance of free speech as fundamental to democracy, Rep. Baumgartner remarked, "Free speech is the bedrock of American democracy," underscoring that foreign attempts to undermine these rights will lead to consequences under this bill.
Rep. Gill echoed these sentiments by emphasizing free speech as core to America's identity and supported the legislation as a means to prevent foreign violations from occurring within U.S. borders.
Issa concluded with a warning: “With the No Censors on Our Shores Act, foreign government officials will be put on notice: Deny our citizens their First Amendment rights, and this country will deny you entry to America or show you the door.”
The legislation seeks amendments to the Immigration and Nationality Act so any foreign official infringing upon Americans' First Amendment rights while on U.S. soil would be considered inadmissible or subject to deportation.
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