The United States has announced a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign government officials involved in the forced return of Uyghurs and other vulnerable ethnic or religious groups to China.

Secretary of State Marco Rubio said in a statement that the policy applies to both current and former officials responsible for or complicit in such acts, and underscores the United States’ commitment to countering China’s continued efforts to pressure governments to deport individuals who face persecution upon return.

The visa restrictions will be implemented “immediately,” taking the initial step of targeting Thai government officials involved in the February 27 forcible return of 40 Uyghurs to China.

Secretary Rubio emphasized in the press release that the returnees are at risk of enforced disappearances and torture, a long-standing concern about China’s treatment of Uyghurs and other minority groups.

The U.S. government has repeatedly condemned such actions, citing well-documented human rights violations, including genocide and crimes against humanity.

Secretary Rubio reiterated that China has engaged in systematic persecution of Uyghurs, and the United States calls on governments around the world to refrain from forcibly returning individuals to China under any circumstances.

“I am taking immediate action to impose visa restrictions on current and former Thai government officials responsible for or involved in the February 27 forcible return of 40 Uyghurs from Thailand,” Rubio said in the statement.

“Given China’s longstanding genocidal practices and crimes against humanity committed against Uyghurs, we call on governments around the world to refrain from forcibly returning Uyghurs and other groups to China,” he added.

This policy expands the U.S. government’s ability to restrict visas for foreign officials deemed responsible for these deportations and reinforces a broader effort to protect at-risk groups from ill-treatment upon return.

Officials targeted under this policy will face visa restrictions under section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act, a provision that allows the U.S. Department of State to deny entry to individuals involved in human rights abuses.

In addition, certain family members of affected individuals may also be subject to visa restrictions, further broadening the reach of the policy.