Kanye West’s visa was revoked because of his promotion of hateful content and antisemitism, according to the Australian Immigration Minister, underscoring the country’s strong opposition to bigotry.
Australia has blocked rapper Kanye West from entering the country following the release of his controversial song Heil Hitler, Immigration Minister Tony Burke confirmed.
After being investigated for his offensive remarks related to the song, Burke explained on ABC’s Afternoon Briefing that West, known as Ye, had his valid visa suspended. He admitted that “my officials looked at him again after he released that song,” according to Burke.
Despite West having family ties in Australia, the visa he held wasn’t for concert purposes but a lower-level category. “Officials still looked at the law and said if you’re going to have a song and promote that sort of Nazism, we don’t need that in Australia,” the minister added.
Hillel Fuld, an Israeli-American tech advocate whose visa was reportedly voided as a result of Islamophobic statements, was the subject of Burke’s comments during a discussion.
The Minister stated that Fuld’s application was “never actually received,” but that he would not allow someone to go on a speaking tour. I don’t want someone who shares my opinion of Islamophobia because they are requesting public speeches on the visa.
He emphasized the importance of public advocates receiving stricter standards, but he also emphasized that West’s visa was canceled because it wasn’t related to advocacy. West’s ability to travel to Australia became the subject of rumors in 2023, in part due to his marriage to Australian Bianca Censori.
Prior to Burke’s assassination and prior to Heil Hitler’s release earlier this year, government official Jason Clare had previously suggested that West’s history of antisemitic remarks would justify visa refusal.
Burke explained that visa applications are reviewed based on current law, noting a permanent ban on the West. Even for the lowest level of visa, when my officials looked at it, they cancelled that after the song was released, he said, “I’m not taking away the way the act operates.”
“We already have enough issues in this country,” according to the statement.
The track “Heil Hitler” from the Grammy-winning hip-hop artist’s new album, WW3, comes with problematic lyrics. The rapper, who calls himself a “villain” and openly chants “Heil Hitler,” is a reflection of Kanye’s recent attitude toward Nazis.
In “Heil Hitler,” West makes a series of debatable claims and disses Drake. He raps, “n***as be actin like f****ts so much, I think they might be Drake… they don’t understand the things I say on Twitter… all my n****s Nazis n***a Heil Hitler…”
The Runaway singer revealed in a recent X (formerly Twitter) post that he has trouble performing his new song live. He continued, “I’m being told that performing Hell Hitler is problematic.” At all of my shows, I perform Heil Hitler.