Some U.S. embassies in European nations are taking to social media to issue stern warnings to potential visitors: be mindful of your actions. These warnings, featured on the social media accounts of embassies in at least 17 countries, include images of prominent administration figures like President Donald Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.
The messages are clear: engaging in behavior deemed detrimental by the U.S. government can result in deportation. A post from the U.S. Embassy in Tallinn, Estonia, drives this point home, stating, “When you apply to enter the United States and you get a visa, you are a guest… If you are in this country to promote Hamas, to promote terrorist organizations, to participate in vandalism, to participate in acts of rebellion and riots on campus, we never would have let you in if we had known that. You lied to us. You’re out.”
Similar warnings have been posted by other embassies, including the one in Budapest, which features a quote from Rubio: “We don’t want people in our country that are going to be committing crimes and undermining our national security or the public safety.”
These warnings come amidst the Trump administration’s crackdown on visa holders who have participated in protests on university campuses, particularly those related to the conflict in Gaza. The administration has taken a firm stance, revoking visas, detaining visa holders, and blocking individuals from entering the country.
One notable case is that of Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University who had his visa revoked. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce has defended the warnings, calling them “reasonable” and emphasizing that visitors must “follow the law, behave yourselves, be a good visitor and you’ll be fine.”
Bruce also highlighted that visas are privileges, not entitlements, and that every sovereign nation has the right to control who enters their country and for what purpose. The U.S. Embassy in Denmark has also posted a warning, featuring a quote from Noem: “If you’re considering traveling to the United States illegally, don’t even think about it.”
These warnings demonstrate the administration’s tough stance on immigration and its commitment to enforcing the law. As the situation continues to unfold, it’s clear that visitors to the United States will be held to high standards of behavior.
