The United States has taken the significant step of barring five European citizens from entering the country, accusing them of leading organised efforts to pressure technology companies into censoring American viewpoints. Among those targeted is the former European Commissioner for the internal market, Thierry Breton.
Accusations of Coercion and Censorship
In an announcement, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the five individuals have been instrumental in what he described as "organised efforts to coerce American platforms to censor, demonetize, and suppress American viewpoints they oppose." He further labelled them as "radical activists and weaponized NGOs" who have advanced censorship crackdowns by foreign states, specifically targeting American speakers and companies.
The move is part of a broader campaign by the Trump administration against perceived foreign influence over online speech, utilising immigration law rather than platform regulations. The action falls under the Immigration and Nationality Act, meaning those named are generally barred from entering the US, and some could face removal if already in the country.
The Individuals Named in the Ban
While Rubio did not initially name the individuals, Under Secretary for Public Diplomacy Sarah Rogers identified them in a post on X. The five people facing the US visa ban are:
- Thierry Breton, former European Commissioner for the internal market (2019-2024).
- Imran Ahmed, chief executive of the Centre for Countering Digital Hate.
- Josephine Ballon and Anna-Lena von Hodenberg, leaders of the German organisation HateAid.
- Clare Melford, co-founder of the Global Disinformation Index (GDI).
Rogers accused the group of "fomenting censorship of American speech" and specifically called Breton a "mastermind" of the EU's Digital Services Act (DSA).
Broker Political Context and Reactions
The visa bans follow the administration's recent National Security Strategy, which accused European leaders of censoring free speech and suppressing opposition to immigration policies. The action also aligns with recent efforts by Trump officials to build diplomatic opposition to the EU's Digital Services Act, a landmark regulation designed to combat hate speech and misinformation online, which Washington argues stifles free speech.
Reacting to the news on social media, Thierry Breton posted: "Is McCarthy’s witch hunt back?" A spokesperson for the GDI condemned the US action as "immoral, unlawful, and un-American," calling it an authoritarian attack on free speech.
Although most Europeans travel to the US under the Visa Waiver Program, they must complete an online authorisation prior to travel. A US official, speaking anonymously, indicated that the five individuals have likely been flagged within the Department of Homeland Security's system, effectively barring their entry.
