South OC Times

Foreign officials who infringe upon the First Amendment rights of American citizens could face visa denial or deportation under new legislation passed by the House Judiciary Committee. The No Censors on Our Shores Act of 2025, introduced by Congressman Darrell Issa along with Congresswoman Maria Salazar and Congressmen Michael Baumgartner and Brandon Gill, aims to protect free speech in the United States.

The bill specifies that foreign government officials who commit acts against Americans that would violate their First Amendment rights will be denied entry into the U.S. or deported if they are already present in the country.

"The Censorship Industrial Complex around the world isn’t just made up of advocates or academics. It is wrapped in the robes of the judiciary in Brazil, wears the uniform of police in the U.K., and wields ministerial power across the European Union," said Rep. Issa. "Global government officials are now on notice: Deny our American citizens their First Amendment rights and you will be kept out of this country or removed if you are here."

Rep. Salazar highlighted Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes as an example, stating, "Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes is the vanguard of an international assault on freedom of speech against American citizens like Elon Musk." She added, "Freedom of Speech is a natural and inalienable right which knows no borders."

Rep. Baumgartner emphasized, "Free speech is the bedrock of American democracy, and we will not allow foreign powers to silence it on our shores." He noted that foreign officials attempting to undermine these rights would face consequences under this act.

"Free speech is one of the core constitutional amendments that makes America the greatest nation in the world," said Rep. Gill. He expressed pride in co-leading this legislative effort alongside Rep. Issa.

Issa concluded by criticizing current administration policies: "The Biden Administration and its allies did nothing to stop this and much to encourage it. That’s over."

The legislation amends existing immigration laws to classify any foreign official violating Americans' First Amendment rights on U.S. soil as inadmissible for entry or subject to deportation.