Politics
Trump Admin Revokes Another Politician’s Visa
By Jake Beardslee · May 12, 2025
Mexican Governor Announces U.S. Visa Revocation for Herself and Husband
Marina del Pilar Avila, the governor of Baja California, a Mexican state bordering the U.S., announced Sunday that the United States has revoked tourist visas for both herself and her husband, Carlos Torres, without providing a public explanation. The unexpected move marks the second recent instance of an international political figure being denied entry to the U.S. under the Trump administration. The White House / Jose Luis Sanchez / Wikimedia
Baja California Official Torres Responds to U.S. Visa Revocation
Torres, who coordinates special projects for Baja California and Tijuana, addressed the revocation on Facebook, stating that it “does not represent an accusation, investigation or formal incident by any authority, neither in Mexico nor in the United States.” GrandEscogriffe / Wikimedia
Torres Attributes Visa Pullback to State Department’s Internal Processes
Torres suggested the decision stems from “internal arrangements of the State Department,” and added that such administrative actions “have become increasingly common.” PD-US / Wikimedia
Revocation Follows Similar Action Against Colombian President
The visa cancellation comes just weeks after Colombian President Gustavo Petro claimed his visa was also revoked ahead of planned meetings with the IMF and World Bank. Samantha Power - USAID / Wikimedia
Move Comes Amid Trump’s Rising Tensions with Mexican President Sheinbaum
It also follows heightened diplomatic friction between President Donald Trump and Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum—leader of the Morena party, to which both Avila and Torres belong. Secretaría de Cultura Ciudad de México / Wikimedia
Trump Slammed Sheinbaum as ‘Afraid of the Cartels’ After Military Rebuff
Trump has publicly criticized Sheinbaum for declining a proposal to permit U.S. military involvement in Mexico’s fight against fentanyl-producing drug cartels. In response, he accused her of being “afraid of the cartels." The White House / Wikimedia
Governor Avila Defends Husband, Calls Support ‘Moral and Political’
Governor Avila voiced her support for her husband on X, stating he “has always acted with integrity, dedication and a deep commitment to Baja California,” and described her backing as “not just personal, it's moral and political.” gob.mx / Wikimedia
Torres Vows Legal Challenge
Meanwhile, Torres indicated he is working with an international immigration attorney “to reopen or reconsider the decision, or begin the process for a new visa application,” insisting the matter would be handled through official legal channels. “I make this information public with responsibility and transparency,” he wrote, claiming: “These are people without limits or scruples.” Sora Shimazaki / Pexels
Rubio Orders Social Media Scrutiny in New Visa Policy Shift
The incident also arrives on the heels of new immigration policies enacted by Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Rubio has launched a “one-strike” visa revocation policy and instructed diplomats to review applicants' social media histories to identify any “hostile attitude toward U.S. citizens or U.S. culture.” The White House / Wikimedia