Why Did Rick Moranis Leave Hollywood? Inside the Actor's Quiet Life Since Retreating from the Public Eye 30 Years Ago

Rick Moranis left Hollywood in the mid-1990s to focus on raising his two young children after his wife's death

NEED TO KNOW

• He continued working as a writer and voice actor and released two comedy albums during his acting hiatus

• Moranis will return to live-action film in 2027, reprising his role as Dark Helmet in the Spaceballs sequel

Thirty years ago,Rick Moraniswalked away from his acting career to take care of his family.

TheGhostbustersalum slowlyretreated from the industryafter his wife, costume designer Ann Belsky, died of breast cancer in 1991. She was survived by their two young kids, Rachel and Mitchell Moranis, for whom he put his career "working with really interesting people" on hold to raise.

“I went from that to being at home with a couple of little kids, which is a very different lifestyle," the comedian toldThe Hollywood Reporterin October 2015. "But it was important to me. I have absolutely no regrets whatsoever. My life is wonderful.”

Though Moranis continued to lend his voice to projects likeBrother Bear,Deadlinereported in June 2025 that he was makinghis official returnto the big screen for the sequel to the 1987Star Warsparody filmSpaceballs.

So, why did Rick Moranis leave Hollywood? Here's everything to know about the actor's decision to walk away from the spotlight, ahead ofSpaceballs: The New One's April 2027 release.

Moranis’ wife died of cancer in 1991

In 1991, Belsky died of breast cancer. After her death, Moranis continued to take on a few roles before stepping away, with one of his last live-action films being the 1994 family flickLittle Giants.

His young costar,Devon Sawa, remembered the comedian being "a very kind man" while filming.

"I think that he was dealing with some stuff during the shooting of that movie, so we didn't see a lot of him," the former child star told PEOPLE in February 2025. "[The child cast] were told that he was going through some family stuff. And so we were respectful of that."

He said it was “too difficult” to be a single parent while acting

Moranis toldUSA Todayin October 2005 that he stopped making movies around 1996 or 1997 because he had become a single parent.

"I just found that it was too difficult to manage raising my kids and doing the traveling involved in making movies," he explained. "So I took a little bit of a break. And the little bit of a break turned into a longer break, and then I found that I really didn't miss it."

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Though he'd been offered a number of movie and TV roles during his hiatus — including one in aGhostbustersreboot — the actor continually turned them down.

"Stuff happens to people all the time, and people make adjustments, change careers, move to another city,” Moranis later toldThe Hollywood Reporter. “Really, that's all I did.”

Moranis continued to voice act and released comedy albums

Though fans stopped seeing him in live-action movies, Moranis continued working in the industry as a writer and voice actor in animated films such asBrother BearandThe Animated Adventures of Bob & Doug McKenzie.

He's also done a few radio commercials, written op-eds forThe New York Timesand released two comedy albums:The Agoraphobic Cowboyin 2005 andMy Mother's Brisketin 2013, perThe Hollywood Reporter.

"My son who's 17 really loves it," Moranis toldUSA Todayof his comedy albums. "I'm lucky about that. And my daughter likes it a lot; she's a little more guarded with her praise."

He added, "But the main thing is, I didn't embarrass them. So I consider it a triumph in that regard."

He agreed to return to the big screen after 30 years forSpaceballs 2

Deadlineannounced in June 2025 that Moranis was set to reprise his role as Dark Helmet in the 2027Spaceballssequel. It will mark his first live-action role in a film in nearly 30 years.

DirectorMel BrookstoldThe Hollywood Reporterin January 2026 that he was the one who convinced Moranis to come out of retirement.

"I said, 'Look, do you want to go to your grave without ever coming back to show business again in any way?' " he said. "Then I said, 'This is the way. This is the only way.Spaceballs, Dark Helmet — that's your re-entrance.' I got him to do it."

Brooks continued, "He's never been better. He's even better than in the first edition. He's so good. He's a strange, wonderful, lovely guy and a very talented comic."

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Why Did Rick Moranis Leave Hollywood? Inside the Actor's Quiet Life Since Retreating from the Public Eye 30 Years Ago

Rick Moranis left Hollywood in the mid-1990s to focus on raising his two young children after his wife's death NEED TO KNOW ...

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School shootings a new trauma for Turkey as nation mourns

Outside a morgue in south-eastern Turkey about a dozen men rushed to carry a coffin, but it was light - just the weight of a 10-year boy.

His father followed behind, propped up by relatives on both sides but weighed down by grief. "Oh, my martyred child," he wailed, "oh my darling."

His son was one of eight children shot dead on Wednesday in the city of Kahramanmaras by a fellow student,14, who also killed a teacher. This city, traditionally famous for its ice cream, now has a new and terrible distinction – it is the location of Turkey's first deadly mass school shooting.

Relatives, neighbours and emergency services gathered around as coffins emerged one by one each draped in the Turkish flag. There was an angry yell from one woman towards a line of waiting police. "Too late, too late," she chided. "You didn't save the children." Another woman shouted that the attacker should be hung in the main square, but he is already dead. He was killed at the scene.

Outside the main mosque, a mother wept, leaning forward to stroke the coffin of her daughter, Zeynep. From the family home, beside the Ayser Calik Secondary School, she heard the shots that killed her 10-year-old – shots that have reverberated around Turkey.

Relatives told us Zeynep was clever and respectful.

"She became an angel, and she flew away," said Mahmut, her uncle, his voice breaking. "My only wish is to have more security at the schools, so this does not happen again. This pain landed on us. I do not want it to fall on anyone else."

The attack came just one day after a former student roamed the corridors of another school in the same region, shooting at will. He wounded 16 but killed only himself.

"There have been two attacks, in a very short period, both in cities with lower incomes," says Prof Asli Carkoglu, an expert in teen psychology. "These things do have a way of spreading."

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She is worried the deadly shooting here could become "an example for young minds that are frustrated enough".

The attack was a tragedy but "not a surprise" to people like her who work with young adults and adolescents, she said.

"There have been stabbings, beatings and attempted suicides in the school system," she told the BBC. "The guns weren't there before, but the violence was."

As the victims of the attack were being lowered into their graves, more details were emerging about the killer. The authorities here say he referred on social media to anAmerican gunman, Elliot Rodgers, who killed six students in California in 2014. They also say an entry on his computer, dated 11 April, indicated there would be a major attack "in the near future".

He did not have to go far to get weapons – just to the bedroom of his father, a former police officer who is himself now under arrest. He has made a statement to the authorities, according to reports in the local media, painting a picture of a bright but troubled teenager who spent a lot of time playing war games on his computer and was attending a psychologist.

While mass school shootings are a familiar horror for the US, this is a new trauma for Turkey. The authorities want to calm the public and control the narrative.

Around 150 people have been detained for social media posts about the killings, accused of spreading misinformation, or "glorifying crime and criminals". More than 1,000 social media accounts and Telegram groups have been blocked.

There is no evidence of any link between the two attacks this week. And police say "initial findings indicate" that the killer in Kahramanmaras acted alone and was not linked to any terrorist organisation.

At the school gates, now locked, and guarded by police, teachers laid flowers in memory of the children who were killed where they should have been safe.

• Turkish police detain 162 people over online posts about school shootings

• Nine killed in second Turkish school shooting in two days

• Sixteen injured after ex-student opens fire at high school in Turkey

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April 18, 2026

School shootings a new trauma for Turkey as nation mourns

Outside a morgue in south-eastern Turkey about a dozen men rushed to carry a coffin, but it was light - just the weight of a 10-year bo...

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Former Texas guard Jordan Lee transfers to SEC rival South Carolina

Jordan Leeentered the transfer portal after a breakout season atTexasand the junior guard isn't going too far. She's staying in theSoutheastern Conference.

Lee announced on Instagram Friday that she's transferring toSouth Carolinato play forDawn Staleyafter spending the first two years of her collegiate career at Texas under Vic Schaefer. Lee captioned her Instagram post, which featured a video montage of her visit to Columbia, South Carolina, "Feeling cocky."

Lee wasone of four players from Texas to enter the transfer portalafter theLonghorns' second consecutive trip to theFinal Four ended in a devastating loss to UCLA. She was named to the All-Region team in the Fort Worth 3 bracket in this year’s NCAA Tournament following her Sweet 16 and Elite Eight performance, where she recorded 22 points, six assists, three rebounds and four steals while also providing strong defense.

After being limited to five starts her freshman year, Lee slid into the starting lineup last season and started a career-high 38 games. She also averaged career highs in points (13.2), assists (2.5), rebounds (2.5), steals (1.5), field-goal percentage (42%) and free-throw percentage (75%), while shooting 34% from 3-point range.

Texas' Aaliyah Crump, Justice Carlton and Aaliyah Moore also entered the transfer portal. On Friday, Crumpannouncedshe's transferring to Duke, citing her connection with head coach Kara Lawson.

"For me, choosing Duke University goes far beyond one sentence. The moment I connected with Kara Lawson and her coaching staff, I knew I was exactly where I belonged," said Crump, who averaged 7.9 points, 2.3 rebounds and 1.4 assists per game her freshman season at Texas.

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Crump continued: "Their dedication and vision for the program is truly special, and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to be a part of it. The connection Coach Lawson and I have built is one of a kind, and I fully trust in her plan for the success of this program. I can’t wait to be coached by genuine people who support my growth not only as a basketball player, but as a person as well."

Three-time All-American Madison Booker and junior starting forward Breya Cunningham are expected to return to Texas.

Contributing: Mitchell Northam

Reach USA TODAY National Women’s Sports Reporter Cydney Henderson at chenderson@gannett.com and follow her on X at@CydHenderson.

The USA TODAY app gets you to the heart of the news —Download for award-winning coverage, crosswords, audio storytelling, the eNewspaper and more.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Jordan Lee transfers: Former Texas guard joins South Carolina

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April 18, 2026

Former Texas guard Jordan Lee transfers to SEC rival South Carolina

Jordan Leeentered the transfer portal after a breakout season atTexasand the junior guard isn't going too far. She's staying in...

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What to know about singer D4vd's arrest in 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez's killing

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Seven months after a 14-year-old girl’s body wasfound in D4vd’s towed SUV, the alt-pop singer has beenarrested on suspicion of killing her, authorities said.

D4vd-Arrest-What to Know

Detectives arrested the 21-year-old, whose legal name is David Burke, on Thursday on suspicion of murder in the investigation of the killing of Celeste Rivas Hernandez, Los Angeles police said. Authorities had not publicly named Burke as a suspect until his arrest. Investigators are expected to present a case to prosecutors on Monday, police said. Burke’s lawyers have declared his innocence.

Here are a few things to know about the case:

Singer was arrested, but is not currently charged

The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that it is aware of the arrest and its Major Crimes Division will review the case to determine whether there is enough evidence to file charges.

Defense attorneys Blair Berk, Marilyn Bednarski and Regina Peter stressed that Burke has only been detained under suspicion, no indictment had been returned and no criminal complaint has been filed.

“Let us be clear — the actual evidence in this case will show that David Burke did not murder Celeste Rivas Hernandez and he was not the cause of her death,” the defense lawyers said. “We will vigorously defend David’s innocence.”

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Celeste Rivas Hernandez was reported missing at age 13

The seventh grader’s family reported her missing in 2024 from her hometown of Lake Elsinore, about 70 miles (112 kilometers) southeast of Los Angeles. Her long-dead body was found in an apparently abandoned Tesla Model Y towed from an upscale Hollywood Hills neighborhood on Sept. 8, a day after she would have turned 15. Authorities give her age as 14 when she was killed in court documents.

Police investigators searching the Tesla in a tow yard found a cadaver bag “covered with insects and a strong odor of decay,” court documents said, and “detectives partially unzipped the bag and observed a decomposed head and torso.” Los Angeles County Medical Examiner’s Office investigators “discovered the arms and legs had been severed from the body,” according to court documents. Dismembered body parts were found inside a second black bag beneath the first. No cause of death has been publicly revealed.

Police in November had blocked the coroner’s office from publicly releasing the autopsy’s findings.

Singer popular with Gen Z for indie rock, R&B and lo-fi pop blend

D4vd, pronounced “David,” went viral on TikTok in 2022 with the hit “Romantic Homicide,” which peaked at No. 4 on Billboard’s Hot Rock & Alternative Songs chart. After signing with Darkroom and Interscope Records D4vd released his debut EP “Petals to Thorns” and a follow-up, “The Lost Petals,” in 2023.

He was on tour supporting his first full-length album, “Withered,” when Rivas Hernandez’s body was found. The last two North American shows, in San Francisco and Los Angeles, along with a scheduled performance at LA’s Grammy Museum, were canceled, as was the European tour that was to have begun in Norway.

Secret grand jury investigation revealed after singer’s family objects to testifying

The singer had been under investigation by an Los Angeles County grand jury looking into the death of Rivas Hernandez. The probe's existence — and thedesignation of D4vd as its target— was revealed when his mother, father and brother filed an objection in a Texas court to subpoenas demanding they testify. The Associated Press obtained documents in the case in February that had been sealed in California, where the grand jury investigation had been kept secret. The 2023 Tesla Model Y was registered in the singer’s name at the Texas address of his subpoenaed family members, according to court filings from prosecutors.

The status of the grand jury investigation wasn’t immediately clear but Burke’s attorneys noted no indictment has been returned.

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April 18, 2026

What to know about singer D4vd's arrest in 14-year-old Celeste Rivas Hernandez's killing

LOS ANGELES (AP) — Seven months after a 14-year-old girl’s body wasfound in D4vd’s towed SUV, the alt-pop singer has beenarrested on su...

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Prince Harry Dances with 4-Year-Old Girl After Meghan Markle Tells Her He's 'Very Good at Twirling'

Prince Harry danced with a veteran’s 4-year-old daughter during a meeting with Invictus Australia in Sydney

NEED TO KNOW

• Ahead of the moment, Meghan Markle told the little girl that her husband is "very good at twirling"

• The couple’s four-day trip to the country has included public and private events in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney

Prince Harryshowed off his paternal side during a sweet moment on his andMeghan Markle’s visit to Australia.

During the couple’s fourth and final day of their trip on Friday, April 17 (local time), the couplesailed around Sydney Harbor alongside Invictus Australia, the Australian branch of Prince Harry'sInvictus Games.

And while meeting with Invictus Australia veteran Joel Vanderzwan and his family ahead of their boat trip, the Duke of Sussex, 41, shared a dance with Vanderzwan’s 4-year-old daughter Charlotte.

The moment came after Vanderzwan’s wife, Alexandra, mentioned to the couple that Charlotte was “very good at twirling,” with Harry then happily giving the little girl a spin.

In anInstagram clipposted by Invictus Australia of the meeting, Meghan, 44, noted that her husband was also “very good at twirling,” with Harry then taking Charlotte’s hands and spinning her round.

“Very good,” a smiling Harry said as he began to clap alongside his wife.

“Good job, that’s the perfect dress to twirl in,” added Meghan, who gave the little girl a hug and steadied her after her spin.

Vanderzwan, a former able seaman marine technician in the Royal Australian Navy, and his wife were also joined by their 9-month-old twins William and Harrison.

The family presented Harry and Meghan with a pair of playful flip-flops each, with the footwear reading, “G’Day Megs” and ‘G’Day Harry.”

The gifts made the couple giggle, with Harry noting, “Wow look at this. Normally it’s Budgy Smugglers!” referencing the speedo-style swimwear.

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“Well, we’ve seen you in them already so I thought, I’m sending you some thongs [the Australian word for flip-flops],” said Vanderzwan, before thanking the couple for visiting Australia.

“I love this, thank you so much,” added Meghan.

Harry and Meghan then boarded a dinghy that ferried them to a sailing boat, where more Invictus Australia veterans were waiting.

On the same day as their sail around Sydney Harbor, the couple also visited Bondi Beach and met with volunteer first responders from the Bondi Surf Bathers' Life Saving Club, who played a pivotal role in protecting beachgoers and saving lives during theterrorist attack against the Jewish communityin December 2025.

They also met with representatives from the Sydney Jewish Museum, which is preparing to open an exhibition on the Dec. 14 attack. The exhibition will feature messages and illustrations honoring those who were hailed as heroes for helping others during the attack, with Harry and Meghan viewing some of the pieces.

The couple’s four-day visit has included several public and private events in Melbourne, Canberra and Sydney.

Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage? Sign up forour free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!

Their first day included a visit to theRoyal Children’s Hospitaland asolo engagement for Meghanat a women's shelter, while other events saw hermake a surprise appearanceas a guest judge on the beloved cooking showMasterChef Australiaand Harry make a solo outing with the charity Movember.

Harry and Meghan last visited Australia in 2018 on a royal tour, with the trip also taking them to Fiji, Tonga and New Zealand.

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Prince Harry Dances with 4-Year-Old Girl After Meghan Markle Tells Her He's 'Very Good at Twirling'

Prince Harry danced with a veteran’s 4-year-old daughter during a meeting with Invictus Australia in Sydney NEED TO KNOW ...

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Who should be the next James Bond? A few out-of-the-box ideas

NEW YORK (AP) — The bond, James Bond, market is heating up.

Film - James Bond Ideas

For almost a year,Denis Villeneuvehas been on tap to direct the next 007 installment, the first sinceDaniel Craig exited the role. Producers Amy Pascal and David Heyman have been lined up since March 2025. The big missing piece: Who’ll play the guy in the tux?

The casting process — the first that isn’t being overseen by the Broccoli family, whichrelinquished creative control to Amazon MGMlast year — has been typically secretive. That hasn’t stopped rampant speculation about who’ll be the next Bond.

The oddsmakers have a few favorites, among them Callum Turner, Jacob Elordi and Aaron Taylor-Johnson. But our task here, today, is to open up the possibilities. This is the first time in more than two decades that a new Bond is being minted. We should have some fun with it, and cast a wide net.

So let's take a martini shaker to the favorites. Here are some out-of-the-box candidates, ranked from least plausible to kinda legitimate.

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Steve Buscemi

What? Are you telling me you wouldn’t watch Steve Buscemi as James Bond? It would instantly become the most anticipated movie of the year. The people are alreadyclamoring for it. If the popecan be American,so too can James Bond.

Sandra Hüller

It’s already become quite clear that there isn’t muchHüller can’t do.She can do the most serious of dramas (“The Zone of Interest,” “Anatomy of a Fall”) and a wide range of comedies (the recent “Project Hail Mary,” “Toni Erdmann”). More than most movie stars today, she has the seductive, deadly melancholy of Bond — plus she’d deliver a great 007karaoke scene.

Hugh Laurie

Producers reportedly want a younger Bond, but an older one might actually give them more new ground to cover. This is a franchise past 50, so a 007 in their 60s is hardly farfetched. Laurie has dabbled in spy thrillers (most notably the John le Carré adaptation “The Night Manager”). We know from “House” that he has a terrific bedside manner in life-or-death situations. And he’s a comic genius who can wear a suit.

Tony Hale

Again: You’re telling me you wouldn’twatch this?Buster Bluth,Forky, James Bond. It’s a seamless trajectory.

Dominic West

West auditioned for Bond when Craig was ultimately cast, but I don’t see why the 56-year-old isn't still a good option. He has the charm and the roguish smile that would make him a legitimate heir to Sean Connery. He’s played a British spy before, in, um, Rowan Atkinson’s “Johnny English Reborn.” And we already associate him, thanks to “The Wire,” with real police work. Imagine if an actor from “The Wire” got the role andit wasn’t Idris Elba.

Aaron Pierre

OK, now we’re getting serious. I think Pierre,the 31-year-old British actor, is such an overwhelmingly natural fit that I’m surprised he hasn’t already been cast. As much as I’d like to see some less obvious candidates (I didn’t even mention Melissa McCarthy or Sacha Baron Cohen),Pierre’s suave poisemakes him an ideal James Bond. Watch “Rebel Ridge” and tell me he doesn’t have all the ingredients. Unless Buscemi steps forward, Pierre should get the role.

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April 17, 2026

Who should be the next James Bond? A few out-of-the-box ideas

NEW YORK (AP) — The bond, James Bond, market is heating up. Film - James Bond Ideas For almost a year,Denis Villeneuvehas be...

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State Department Cracks Down on Visas of People ‘Working on Behalf of U.S. Adversaries’

The State Departmentannounceda “significant expansion” of itsvisa restriction policyto target “those working on behalf of U.S. adversaries to undermine” the country’s interests in theWestern Hemisphere.

The department also said it has already “taken steps” to impose restrictions on 26 individuals as part of the expansion. A list of the individuals’ identities and their specific activities that warranted the visa restriction has not been made public. The policy will generally render the individuals and their family members ineligible for entry into the country.

Activities that could warrant the restriction, according to the announcement, include but aren’t limited to: “enabling adversarial powers to acquire or control key assets and strategic resources in our hemisphere; destabilizing regional security efforts; undermining American economic interests; and conducting influence operations designed to undermine the sovereignty and stability of nations in our region.”

The State Department’s policy aligns with the Trump Administration’s desire to exert more influence over the Americas. President Donald Trump has embraced the term “Donroe Doctrine,” a contemporary reinterpretation of an 1823 foreign policy vision by former President James Monroe that focuses on U.S. dominance in the Western hemisphere. Trump has pushed for this foreign policy maxim asChina, a U.S. geopolitical competitor, hasincreasingly influencedthe region.

Trump cited the doctrine when the U.S. conducted an extraordinarymilitary operationto depose Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro earlier this year. The U.S. military has alsocontinuedto strikealleged drug-trafficking boatsas part of what it described as a campaign against narco-terrorism, though public evidence supporting the narco-terrorism claims is scant.

Immigration policy as foreign policy

The State Department’s visa expansion policy announcement cited the Trump Administration’s authority under theImmigration and Nationality Act, which says the entry of foreign nationals can be restricted if the Secretary of State has reasonable ground to believe it “would have potentially serious adverse foreign policy consequences” for the U.S.

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The President has, since his return to the White House, implemented a harsh anti-immigrant agenda, but he has wielded immigration tools as a foreign and domestic policy lever.

Amid the U.S. war on Iran, the State Department has recentlyterminated the legal statusesofat least seven Iranian nationalswith ties to the Iranian regime.

In July, the Administrationrevoked the visasof Brazilian judge Alexandre de Moraes and his allies, whom it accused of conducting a “political witch hunt” against Trump allyJair Bolsonaro.

And in September, the State Departmentsaidit will revoke the visa of Colombia’s President Gustavo Petro, who commonly clashes with Trump, after he urged U.S. soldiers to disobey Trump’s orders, in protest of the U.S.’s role in the war in Gaza. Petro visited Washington earlier this year using a special visa, though the Colombian leaderclaimedhis visa was “reinstated” until the end of his term in August.

At thestart of the year, nationals of 39 countries, and individuals traveling on Palestinian Authority-issued travel documents, were either fully or partially restricted from entering the U.S., expanding aJune 2025 travel ban. In January, the Administration alsopaused visa processingfor nationals of 75 countries deemed to have a high risk of using public benefits.

The Trump Administration hasrevoked visasfor speech it deems divisive, and it has revoked thousands ofstudent visasfor overstays and other alleged violations, such as what it claims to be support for “terrorism” that included participation in pro-Palestinian protests. Legal and undocumented immigrants have beentargetsfordetention and deportation, andtourists, visitors, andinternational studentshave been placed under heightened scrutiny. The Administration also hastightened its criteriafor U.S. citizenship applicants to “root out anti-Americanism.”

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April 17, 2026

State Department Cracks Down on Visas of People ‘Working on Behalf of U.S. Adversaries’

The State Departmentannounceda “significant expansion” of itsvisa restriction policyto target “those working on behalf of U.S. adversar...

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