Overview
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the policy on Thursday, July 23, 2026, saying it bars foreign nationals tied to cyberscams, online investment fraud and sextortion from receiving U.S. visas.
- The measure relies on Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act and allows the United States to deny visas to people deemed to pose adverse foreign policy consequences, with immediate family members potentially subject to the same limits.
- Officials framed the visa tool as one part of a broader campaign that will include economic sanctions, criminal prosecutions, asset seizures and extradition requests to dismantle the networks that enable large-scale online fraud.
- The State Department cited at least $10 billion in U.S. losses from online investment scams in 2024 and said many operations are tied to Chinese transnational criminal organizations, but the announcement did not name any specific countries or individuals.
- Civil liberties groups and experts warned the authority could be misused and questioned how much visa bans alone will deter overseas operators, while advocates urged narrow, verified use and greater investment in victim support and international cooperation.