The United States Department of State has warned foreign nationals in the country that engaging in activities deemed contrary to American national interests and foreign policy could result in the revocation of their visas.
The warning, issued by the State Department on September 16, 2026, cited Secretary of State Marco Rubio’s position that foreign nationals who undertake activities considered inconsistent with US national interests or foreign-policy objectives could lose their immigration privileges.
“Secretary Rubio has been clear: if foreign nationals are conducting activities that are counter to our national interest and to our foreign policy, we’ll revoke their visa,” the department said in a statement posted on its official social-media account.
The statement came alongside a reminder from the US Department of Justice about federal requirements governing individuals who operate in the United States under the direction or control of a foreign government or foreign principal.
According to the Justice Department, individuals acting in the United States on behalf of a foreign government or foreign principal may be required to register as foreign agents and disclose their relationship and activities to the US authorities under applicable federal law.
The department said the requirements are designed to promote transparency where foreign governments or entities direct, control, finance or coordinate activities in the United States.
The warning relates in particular to the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA) and other federal provisions governing activities carried out on behalf of foreign principals. The Justice Department has said that, depending on the circumstances, failure to comply with applicable registration or disclosure requirements can result in civil or criminal penalties.
The latest warning also makes a distinction between lawful visitors and individuals who engage in activities that violate US laws or immigration requirements.
“Legal visitors to our country are always welcome but should abide by our laws,” the State Department said.
The administration’s position therefore places emphasis on compliance with US immigration, foreign-agent registration and other federal laws, particularly where foreign nationals are alleged to be acting under the direction or control of foreign governments or foreign principals.
The Justice Department has also stressed that the foreign-agent registration framework does not, by itself, eliminate constitutional protections for lawful political expression. Rather, the legal requirements concern circumstances in which a person is acting as an agent of a foreign principal and is subject to applicable disclosure or registration obligations.
The State Department’s warning comes amid broader US government efforts to scrutinise foreign influence and activities carried out within the United States on behalf of foreign governments and entities.