Charlevoix, Canada – U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced on Friday that the United States is imposing visa restrictions on Thai officials involved in the recent deportation of dozens of Uyghurs to China. The move comes in response to Thailand’s decision to forcibly return the group despite international concerns over China’s treatment of the Uyghur minority.
“In light of China’s longstanding acts of genocide and crimes against humanity committed against Uyghurs, we urge governments worldwide not to return Uyghurs or other vulnerable groups to China,” Rubio said in a statement while attending G7 talks in Canada.
As part of this policy, the U.S. has imposed immediate visa restrictions on an unspecified number of current and former Thai officials linked to the late-February deportations.
Thailand, Washington’s oldest ally in Asia, maintains strong ties with both the U.S. and China. In response to global criticism, the Thai government defended its decision, stating that Beijing had assured them the deported Uyghurs would be treated well.
The U.S. has accused China of committing genocide against the Uyghurs, citing reports of mass detention camps in the Xinjiang region. Beijing, however, denies the allegations, insisting that its policies focus on vocational training and economic development.
Rubio has long been a vocal advocate for Uyghur rights and a strong critic of China’s policies. The latest action against Thailand marks a rare instance of President Donald Trump’s administration prioritizing human rights and asylum protections—an approach that has largely taken a backseat in his foreign policy.
Despite the tough stance on Thailand, Rubio indicated that diplomatic engagement with China remains on the table. When asked at the G7 summit whether Trump would meet Chinese President Xi Jinping, Rubio responded, “The president engaged with him in his first term, and I expect he will do so again. And he should.” While no meeting has been scheduled, he emphasized the importance of communication between the two global powers for the stability and security of the world.
