Marco Rubio has reiterated that entry into the United States is a privilege, not a guaranteed right, stressing that visas can be revoked if holders engage in activities that threaten national security or national interests.
Speaking at a joint press interaction in Budapest alongside Viktor Orbán, Rubio said US authorities have already cancelled visas in multiple cases over the past year. He emphasised that there is no constitutional entitlement to receive or retain a visa.
“Visas are not a right. A visa is permission to enter our country as a visitor,” Rubio said, adding that the policy applies to all categories, including students, tourists and journalists. He noted that enforcement action can be taken even after an individual has entered the country if their activities are found to be against US national security interests.
Rubio further stated that if authorities were aware beforehand that an applicant intended to engage in such actions, the visa would likely not have been granted in the first place.
His comments come amid broader efforts by the US State Department to tighten immigration oversight. Recently, the department announced a temporary pause on immigrant visa processing for nationals from 75 countries, citing concerns that migrants from certain nations were becoming public charges at high rates.
According to the department, the pause affects several countries, including Somalia, Haiti, Iran, Cuba and Eritrea, as part of a wider review of immigration and welfare-related policies.
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