State Department Warns Visa Holders Over Charlie Kirk Death Event at UC Berkeley 1 Year Later

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Sep 15

A top State Department official warned international students they could jeopardize their visas by celebrating Charlie Kirk’s death after a “Kirkversary” gathering at UC Berkeley drew federal scrutiny.
The event marked the Sept. 10, 2025 anniversary of Kirk’s murder and grew out of internet memes that have circulated widely since the conservative activist and Turning Point USA co-founder was killed.
Students at the Berkeley gathering sang and cheered, according to The Daily Californian, and displayed meme-style imagery including a Mona Lisa altered with Kirk’s face.
Officials have not said whether any participants were foreign students, but the warning extends the political fallout from online and campus reactions to Kirk’s death.

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How are federal authorities identifying non-citizens at crowded, meme-inspired campus gatherings?

Could participating in a viral internet trend cost you your visa under new federal immigration warnings?

Where is the line drawn between harmless digital meme culture and actions that trigger severe immigration consequences?