A recent directive from U.S. officials could impact Canadian citizens currently in the United States or those planning to enter. The warning comes in the wake of the death of political influencer Charlie Kirk, who was shot while speaking at Utah Valley University on September 10. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that visa revocations are underway for individuals who celebrate Kirk's death. He emphasized, "America will not host foreigners who celebrate the death of our fellow citizens. If you are here on a visa and cheering on the public assassination of a political figure, prepare to be deported."

Rosanna Berardi, a U.S. immigration lawyer, noted that this directive aligns with the Trump administration's approach to immigration and free speech. She explained that the U.S. Department of State reviews visa applicants' social media for inflammatory content. Berardi stated, "This directive would apply to Canadian citizens who are already in the U.S. as visitors, students, or employees. It could also impact Canadians entering the U.S. at the various border crossings."

Kirk's death has led to heightened scrutiny of social media comments. A suspect, Tyler Robinson, has been arrested and faces multiple charges, including aggravated murder. Utah County Attorney Jeff Gray has indicated that his office will seek the death penalty against Robinson.

While U.S. citizens enjoy First Amendment protections, Berardi pointed out that foreign nationals, including Canadians, do not have the same guaranteed rights when entering the U.S. She expressed concern that lawful political expression in Canada could jeopardize a Canadian's ability to enter or remain in the U.S. However, she added, "It is unlikely that Canadians would be deported or refused admission for this speech. All foreign nationals in the U.S. are entitled to due process and a chance to challenge their removal."

Dr. Stewart Prest, a politics lecturer at the University of British Columbia, cautioned that Canadians in the U.S. should take these developments seriously. He noted that the U.S. is increasingly checking social media as part of the visa vetting process. Prest stated, "If there are any interactions between Canadians and U.S. officials, it’s possible that their social media will be part of the scrutiny applied during that process."

He also highlighted the potential chilling effect on discussions about free speech among Canadians in the U.S. Prest remarked, "There are implications not only for what you might say about a figure such as Kirk, but your ability to take part in conversations about what can be said about Kirk, because your livelihood may depend on effectively keeping your mouth shut."

Rubio's comments are not isolated. Deputy Secretary of State Christopher Landau has directed consular officials to take action against individuals praising or rationalizing Kirk's death. He instructed officials to monitor social media for such comments. Additionally, U.S. Vice President JD Vance urged people to report anyone celebrating Kirk's death to their employers.

Several individuals in various sectors have faced job losses or suspensions due to their social media posts about Kirk. U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed that airlines had grounded pilots who celebrated Kirk's death, stating, "This behavior is disgusting and they should be fired."

Despite the heightened scrutiny, Berardi reassured Canadians that they should not be overly concerned. She said, "The government has a lot of bigger fish to fry right now. They’re really getting aggressive in criminals, people here without authorization, that kind of thing."

However, she acknowledged that phone searches at the border have increased, particularly focusing on social media posts against the current administration. Berardi advised travelers to remove any potentially inflammatory content from their devices. Prest suggested that comments perceived as innocuous could be misinterpreted by officials. He recommended using a burner phone for travel to avoid complications.