Issa, GOP Colleagues Announce No Censors on our Shores Act
WASHINGTON– Foreign officials that willfully violate the First Amendment rights of American citizens will face new consequences thanks to legislation authored by Congressman Darrell Issa and his House colleagues Congresswoman Maria Salazar (FL-27), Congressman Michael Baumgartner (WA-5) and Congressman Brandon Gill (TX-26).
The No Censors on our Shores Act of 2025 codifies into law that official acts by a foreign government official against American citizens while they are in the U.S. – that would violate their First Amendment rights had it occurred in this country – can be refused entry into the United States or deported if currently in the country.
“Last year, we saw a shameful abuse of power by the Supreme Court in Brazil that targeted and American citizen named Elon Musk and blocked access to X, a privately held American company — and we haven’t forgotten it,” said Rep. Issa. “The Biden Administration and its allies did nothing to stop this and much to encourage it. That’s over. Wherever the free speech rights of Americans are under attack around the world, we won’t just see it — we’ll stop it.”
“Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes is the vanguard of an international assault on freedom of speech against American citizens like Elon Musk,” said Rep. Salazar. “Freedom of Speech is a natural and inalienable right which knows no borders. The enforcers of censorship are not welcome in the land of the free, the United States.”
"Free speech is the bedrock of American democracy, and we will not allow foreign powers to silence it on our shores,” said Rep. Baumgartner. “The No Censors on Our Shores Act of 2025 ensures that any foreign official who attempts to undermine the First Amendment rights of U.S. citizens will face consequences—either being denied entry to or deported from the United States. This bill is about safeguarding our fundamental freedoms from foreign censorship. Our message is clear: censorship has no place here."
“Free speech is one of the core constitutional amendments that makes America the greatest nation in the world. Any foreign official who has the audacity to violate this God-given right should not be allowed into our country. Rep. Issa’s No Censors on Our Shores Act hits the nail on the head, and I am proud to be a co-lead on this effort,” said Rep. Gill.
Issa concluded: “With the No Censors on Our Shores Act, foreign government officials will be put on notice: Deny our citizens their First Amendment rights, and this country will deny you entry to America or show you the door.”
Specifically, the legislation amends the Immigration and Nationality Act to deem any foreign official who violates the First Amendment rights of Americans on U.S. soil as inadmissible and subject to deportation from the United States.
###