U.S. authorities said they have commenced the deportation of foreigners, including Nigerians, who celebrated the assassination of Charlie Kirk, a conservative activist, who was shot dead at Utah Valley University on Wednesday.
U.S. secretary of secretary Marco Rubio disclosed this in a post on X on Monday, sharing a video in which he addressed the issue.
Against the backdrop of Mr Kirk’s assassination at Utah Valley University last week, Mr Rubio said, “America will not host foreigners who celebrate the death of our fellow citizens.”
He said, “Visa revocations are underway. If you are here on a visa and cheering on the public assassination of a political figure, prepare to be deported. You are not welcome in this country.
“We should not be giving visas to people who will come into the United States and do things like celebrate the murder, execution, or assassination of a political figure. And if they are already here, we should be revoking their visas,” Mr Rubio said.
Following the assassination of Mr Kirk, deputy secretary of state Chris Landau had threatened that foreign nationals who glorify violence are not welcome in the U.S.
Mr Landau said he had informed the consular office to revoke visas of those caught celebrating Mr Kirk’s assassination.
Suspected shooter of Mr Kirk, Tyler Robinson, a 22-year-old resident of Utah, was arrested after a 33-hour-long coordinated manhunt by the Federal Bureau of Investigation and other security agencies.
Investigations show Mr Robinson had confessed to shooting Mr Kirk in a group chat with his friends on Discord.
