A second world leader has been notified that President Donald Trump’s administration revoked her and her husband’s tourist visas.
Marina del Pilar Avila, the governor of Mexico’s Baja California state, shared on Sunday that she and her husband, Carlos Torres, had been notified about a consular measure taken by the United States.
While Avila did not mention the reason behind this decision in her initial announcement, Torres took to Facebook on Saturday to clarify that it was not related to any accusations, investigations, or formal incidents from authorities in either Mexico or the United States.
Torres, who holds the position of coordinator of special projects for both the Baja California state administration and the city of Tijuana, expressed that this revocation is a common practice related to internal procedures of the State Department, affecting many individuals in similar situations.
‘Currently, the application of these administrative criteria has become increasingly common and like so many others, I am included in that universe,’ Torres told his followers.
He went on to note that he has already contacted an international immigration lawyer ‘who is evaluating the submission of a motion to reopen or reconsider the decisions or begin the process for a new visa application, in strict adherence to official channels.’
‘I make this information public with responsibility and transparency, not only to avoid speculation, but also to limit political opponents’ misuse of this situation,’ Torres wrote, adding: ‘Believe me: these are people without limits or scruples, willing to turn any fact into slander if they think it will give them an advantage.’
‘Throughout my public life, I have acted out of respect for the law and [am] fully aware of the commitment I serve,’ Torres concluded as he vowed that the situation ‘will be handled with seriousness and confidence in legal procedures.’
Marina del Pilar Avila, the governor of Mexico ‘s Baja California state, announced on Sunday that her and her husband’s visas to the United States have been revoked
Her husband, Carlos Torres, wrote on Facebook Saturday that it ‘does not represent an accusation, investigation or formal incident by any authority, neither in Mexico nor in the United States’
Pilar Avila also stood by her man in her post on X, saying he ‘has always acted with integrity, dedication and a deep commitment to Baja California.
‘My support for him isn’t just personal, it’s moral and political,’ she wrote. ‘Because I know who he is and because he has always stood up and taken responsibility for things that aren’t his.’
She also noted that ‘this situation is taking place in a complex binational context that requires my composure and prudence.’
Still, the Baja California governor said she has full confidence ‘that the situation will be satisfactorily clarified for both of us.’
The dramatic move to revoke her and her husband’s visas comes just weeks after Pilar Avila took a trip to San Diego to promote tourism in Mexico, according to KUSI.
It now remains unclear what may have provoked the US State Department to revoke their visas.
However, the move comes as the Trump administration cracks down on who can obtain visas.
The move comes as the Trump administration cracks down on who can obtain visas
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has implemented a ‘one-strike’ policy for all temporary visa holders
In March, Secretary of State Marco Rubio sent diplomats overseas a directive to scrutinize the social media content of any visa applicant in an effort to bar those suspected of criticizing the US or Israel from entering the country, according to the New York Times.
His order specifically stated that applicants can be denied visas if their behavior or actions show they bear ‘a hostile attitude toward US citizens or US culture (including government, institutions or founding principles).’
Then on April 30, Rubio announced he was implementing a ‘one-strike’ policy for all temporary visa holders in a document marking Trump’s first 100 days in office.
He declared that ‘a visa is a privilege, not a right,’ and noted that under the Immigration and Nationality act, any noncitizen who ‘endorses or espouses terrorist activity or persuades others to endorse or espouse terrorist activity or support a terrorist organization’ is not welcome into the country.
‘There is now a one-strike policy: Catch and Revoke,’ Rubio wrote. ‘Whenever the government catches non-US citizens breaking our laws, we will take action to revoke their status.
‘The time of contemptuously taking advantage of our nation’s generosity ends,’ he concluded.
