US official defends visa revocations amid border protests

U.S. Under Secretary of State Christopher Landau has defended the revocation of visas as a legitimate tool of foreign policy, asserting that the United States maintains the authority to decide who is welcome in the country. Landau emphasized that a visa is not a right and noted that authorities may review social media activity when determining eligibility or maintaining status.

These statements come amid heightened scrutiny of Mexican citizens, including political figures, and a surge in visa cancellations. In the border region, transport operators have organized protests, including a blockade of the Mexicali customs office, to protest the mass revocation of B1 visas. Drivers claim they are being unfairly targeted for cabotage, a practice they deny engaging in.

Additionally, the tightening of immigration policies under the Trump administration has led to the rise of initiatives like ‘Retache,’ a platform designed to assist Mexican nationals returning to their home country due to increased deportation fears and political shifts in the United States.