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Year: 2026

Trump admin announces expansion of visa restriction policy in Western Hemisphere

Trump admin announces expansion of visa restriction policy in Western Hemisphere

The Trump administration on Thursday announced a “significant expansion” of its ​visa restriction policy in ⁠the Western Hemisphere, targeting people working on behalf of U.S. adversaries. In its announcement, the State Department said the expanded policy allows it to restrict U.S. visas for people intentionally acting on behalf of adversarial countries to “undermine America’s interests.” “President Trump’s National Security Strategy makes clear: this Administration will deny adversarial powers the ability to own or control vital assets or threaten the security and prosperity of the United States in our region,” the department said in a press release. “The Department of State is working to advance American leadership in our hemisphere, protect our homeland, and ensure access to vital routes and areas throughout our region.” RUBIO IDENTIFIES ‘SINGLE MOST SERIOUS THREAT’ TO THE US FROM WESTERN HEMISPHERE “In support of this critical objective, the Department of State is announcing a significant expansion of an existing visa restriction policy that targets those working on behalf of U.S. adversaries to undermine our national interests in our hemisphere, including regional security and democratic sovereignty,” the department continued. The administration also said that family members of individuals subject to visa restrictions under this policy will not be allowed to enter the U.S. “This expanded policy enables us to restrict U.S. visas for nationals of countries in our region who, while within Western Hemisphere countries and while intentionally acting on behalf of adversarial countries, their agents, or enterprises, knowingly direct, authorize, fund, or provide significant support to, or carry out activities that are adversarial to and undermine America’s interests in our hemisphere. These individuals – and their immediate family members – will be generally ineligible for entry into the United States,” the department said. Activities the administration has deemed adversarial and that could trigger visa restrictions include enabling adversarial powers to acquire or control key assets and strategic resources in the Western Hemisphere, destabilizing regional security efforts, undermining American economic interests and conducting influence operations designed to weaken the sovereignty and stability of nations in the region. STATE DEPARTMENT TO ASK FOR BONDS OF UP TO $15,000 FOR VISA APPLICATION FROM A DOZEN MORE COUNTRIES The department said it has imposed visa restrictions on 26 people under this policy. “To demonstrate our commitment to this expanded policy, we have taken steps to impose visa restrictions on 26 individuals across our hemisphere who have engaged in these activities,” the department said. “The Trump Administration will use every available tool to protect our national security interests, defend American interests, and promote our region’s safety and prosperity.” This comes after a series of moves by the administration in recent months to restrict visas for people around the world, including a visa ban on people from dozens of countries listed by the State Department, which civil rights groups have previously sharply criticized. Critics, including civil rights advocates, have raised concerns about similar visa restriction policies, saying broad definitions of prohibited activity can create questions about how individuals are identified and what due process protections are available. “This administration’s targeting of people based on their national origin is part of an autocratic playbook designed to make America smaller – to shut out ideas, perspectives, and communities,” Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said in a statement earlier this year about the suspension of immigrant visa processing for people from around 75 countries.

Franklin Graham defends Trump in letter shared on Truth Social after AI ‘Jesus’ image backlash

Franklin Graham defends Trump in letter shared on Truth Social after AI ‘Jesus’ image backlash

Rev. Franklin Graham defended President Donald Trump in a statement shared Thursday on Truth Social after backlash over an image critics said depicted Trump as Jesus Christ. The statement was released Thursday by Graham and shared by the president as a signed letter. “I do not believe President Trump would knowingly depict himself as Jesus Christ — that would certainly be inappropriate,” Graham wrote. He added that Trump believed the image showed “a doctor helping someone” and said the president “immediately removed the post” after concerns were raised. STEFANIK CLASHES WITH CNN HOSTS OVER TRUMP’S POPE COMMENTS WHILE ACCUSING SWALWELL OF ‘CRIMINAL’ CONDUCT “There were no spiritual references — no halo, there were no crosses, no angels,” Graham wrote. “It was a flag, soldiers, a nurse, fighter planes, eagles. … I think this is a lot to do about nothing.” Graham also referenced a separate image Trump shared on Truth Social that appeared to show Jesus standing beside him with a hand on his shoulder, suggesting it represented guidance rather than self-depiction, and said critics were attempting to “spin this into something that it isn’t.” “And the illustration from someone else he reposted on Truth Social today, I must say that I like the fact that this is a picture of Jesus whispering in his ear or at least His hand on his shoulder, guiding him,” Graham said. “We all need that — we all need to be listening to Jesus.” A representative for Graham told Fox News Digital said the reverend had no further comment and that he’d be appearing on Fox News’ “Hannity” Thursday night. The controversy began Sunday night when Trump posted an AI-generated image on Truth Social showing himself appearing to heal a man while surrounded by patriotic imagery, prompting criticism from both political opponents and some of his own supporters. RILEY GAINES ADDRESSES SPAT WITH MAGA OVER AI JESUS POST, SAYS ‘HUMILITY’ WOULD SERVE TRUMP Trump addressed the backlash the following day. “I did post it, and I thought it was me as a doctor. … Only the fake news could come up with that one,” Trump said. “It’s supposed to be me as a doctor, making people better.” The post was later deleted. BISHOP BARRON SAYS TRUMP ‘OWES THE POPE AN APOLOGY’ The episode comes as Trump has also been engaged in a public dispute with Pope Leo XIV, whom he criticized as “weak on crime” and “terrible for foreign policy,” while the pope said he was “unafraid” of the Trump administration. Despite that defense, criticism earlier in the week came from within Trump’s base. OutKick contributor Riley Gaines questioned the post, while RedState writer Bonchie called the image “blasphemy” and urged Trump to apologize. Influencer Brilyn Hollyhand added that “faith is not a prop.” TRUMP ACCUSES POPE LEO OF BEING ‘TERRIBLE’ ON FOREIGN POLICY OVER PONTIFF’S ANTI-WAR COMMENTS Criticism also came from media figures and political opponents, including Cenk Uygur, who called it “blasphemous,” and NBC’s Richard Engel, who questioned whether Trump was joking. Others defended the post, arguing it was symbolic and misinterpreted. Graham also praised Trump’s record on religious freedom and expressed hope the president could meet with Pope Leo in the future. “I would hope that the President and Pope Leo can meet at some point, and that the Pope would have the opportunity to thank President Trump for his efforts to protect religious liberty,” Graham said. The White House did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment. Fox News Digital’s Brian Flood and Eric Mack contributed to this report.