The U.S. Embassy in Havana has annulled the active visa of a Cuban national following the acquisition of "new information" regarding their case, as reported on Friday by the independent outlet elTOQUE. This decision, which took immediate effect, prevents the individual from entering the United States and raises the possibility that other Cubans might face similar situations.
According to the report, consular officials based their decision on Section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), granting the U.S. government the authority to revoke an already issued visa if new evidence indicates the holder is no longer eligible. This law allows for visa cancellations in cases of suspected fraud, security concerns, criminal records, undisclosed illegal stays, or if there's evidence suggesting the holder could be deemed inadmissible for unspecified reasons.
While the State Department declined to provide details about the case, citing confidentiality, they confirmed that revocations occur when "negative information indicates that a person has lost their eligibility to hold a visa (...) because they pose a threat to public or national security."
Journalist Mario J. Pentón from Martí Noticias discussed the incident on social media, with his post quickly gaining traction among Cubans both on the island and abroad: "Visa revoked in Havana. You can't support the regime and then come to enjoy the U.S. Coherence is needed!"
Neither elTOQUE nor Pentón's post identifies the affected individual, but the commentary has reignited a long-standing debate regarding travel to the United States by individuals associated with the Cuban regime, especially amidst tightening immigration policies driven by the current Republican administration.
Stricter Policies in Context
The visa revocation takes place amid a series of measures implemented by the Trump administration, tightening visa review processes and immigration control. In July 2025, the State Department mandated embassies to scrutinize the social media profiles of student visa applicants for potential "hostile intent" towards the U.S. government or its institutions.
Additionally, the Capture and Revoke program employs artificial intelligence to monitor online content from those holding current visas, identifying expressions of support for groups classified as terrorist organizations. According to elTOQUE, this policy has already led to the cancellation of at least six foreign visas due to social media posts.
These actions are compounded by the immigration ban imposed since June 9, 2025, which suspended the issuance of tourist, student, exchange, and business visas for Cuban citizens without dual citizenship. These measures have disrupted family reunification processes, affected thousands of Cubans with ongoing legal proceedings, and increased uncertainty for those planning to travel to the United States.
A Broader Message
Although there's no public evidence identifying the Cuban whose visa was revoked, this case epitomizes the growing climate of distrust and scrutiny faced by visa applicants and holders during the Trump era. Historically, U.S. immigration policy has served as an escape valve for Cubans; however, it is now becoming a more uncertain landscape where a single post, connection, or suspicion might close the door to the American dream.
Understanding U.S. Visa Revocations
Why might a U.S. visa be revoked?
A U.S. visa can be revoked due to suspected fraud, security concerns, criminal history, undisclosed illegal stays, or if the holder is deemed inadmissible for unspecified reasons.
What legal authority allows the U.S. government to cancel a visa?
The U.S. government can cancel a visa under Section 221(i) of the Immigration and Nationality Act if new information suggests the holder is no longer eligible.
How does the Capture and Revoke program work?
The Capture and Revoke program uses artificial intelligence to analyze online posts of current visa holders to identify support for terrorist organizations or hostile intent towards the U.S.