US Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced a new policy Wednesday that targets foreign officials and individuals "complicit" in censoring Americans' free speech rights.

Americans have been "fined, harassed, and even charged by foreign authorities for exercising their free speech rights," Rubio wrote on X. "Today, I am announcing a new visa restriction policy that will apply to foreign officials and persons who are complicit in censoring Americans," Rubio wrote.

He emphasized that free speech represents an essential American birthright to which "foreign governments have no authority."

"Foreigners who work to undermine the rights of Americans should not enjoy the privilege of traveling to our country," Rubio stated.

He warned that "passive treatment" of those who "undermine" American rights has ended, whether in "Latin America, Europe, or elsewhere."

Rubio said separately that it is "unacceptable" for foreign officials to target Americans for social media posts or pressure US platforms to adopt content moderation policies. He said those actions "encroach" on US sovereignty and threaten the US' "fundamental right to free speech."

The State Department warned that "certain family members" may also be affected by the new policy.

The announcement follows a reported directive on Tuesday to pause student visa interviews while the Trump administration considers expanded social media vetting for foreign students.

The Trump administration has revoked visas for more than 1,000 students, targeting those involved in pro-Palestinian activism or political protests at prestigious universities, including Harvard and Stanford.

Rubio maintains that visas are privileges, not rights, and the US retains authority on entry decisions.