The Foreign Press Association (FPA),the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), and the Committee to Protect Journalists (CPJ)join in strong opposition to a July 2026 U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) proposed regulation that heavily restricts foreign media "I" visas.
Together with the SPJ and the CPJ, we have drafted a letter to congress setting out our case against the impending changes and asking them to intervene promptly,. We thank our sister organization, the Arab and Middle Eastern Journalists Association AMEJA for its prompt and effective support in getting attention on the Hill.
These restrictions are an arbitrary and unilateral tariff wall against the exchange of ideas and information, says Ian Williams, FPA President.
We ask all our members to enlist other signatories to the letter and to approach legislators who can help stop these pernicious proposals. We have been here before. Last time such proposals were raised, FPA and SPJ led the battle to thwart the proposals - but they are back, and we are pleased this time to be backed by so many other organizations.
The proposals have broader implications for free speech and movement than just for journalists; they also effect academics, students and other skilled professionals, so we are pleased to see a growing list of organizations from other sectors joining in opposition.
These proposed regulations will restrict both the numbers and the freedoms of international reporters in the US. We urge you persuade colleagues to join the FPA to help us to combat the proposals and assist colleagues who might be affected.
Foreign Press Association USA
President Ian Williams
- Log in to post comments