U.S. to Restrict Visas for Cybercriminals and Some Family Members
Summary
The State Department will restrict visas for people responsible for or complicit in cybercrime, including cyberscams and sextortion; some family members may also face restrictions. Experts say deterrence should accompany victim support and prevention.
Key points
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio said the restrictions target people responsible for or complicit in cybercrime and cyber-enabled crime, including cyberscams and sextortion.
- Immediate family members of people engaged in such activities may also face visa restrictions.
- Rubio authorized the restrictions under a 1952 law covering people whose presence could have potentially serious adverse foreign-policy consequences.
- The Department of Justice previously seized infrastructure used by Huione Group subsidiaries for cyber scams and other crimes.
- Experts said visa restrictions could deter some offenders, while emphasizing the importance of victim support, prevention, and recovery resources.
- The article notes criticism that the administration could use the law’s provision for political purposes.
Article Details
- Event Type
- U.S. policy announcement authorizing visa restrictions for people responsible for or complicit in cybercrime and cyber-enabled crime, with some immediate family members potentially also affected.
- Impact
- The policy is intended to disrupt foreign-based scam networks and deter cyber-enabled crime, but the article gives no implementation details or measured effects. The Department of Justice had previously seized infrastructure used by Huione Group subsidiaries. Experts noted that restrictions may have limited effects on overseas criminals and emphasized the continuing need for victim support and prevention.
People
Betsy CooperFounding Director of the Aspen Policy Academy; commented on the potential value of visa restrictions and cautioned that they should be used narrowly against verified scammers and fraudsters.Marco RubioAs Secretary of State, announced and authorized the visa restrictions targeting people responsible for or complicit in cybercrime and cyber-enabled crime.