The U.S. Department of State defended the visa veto that blocked Ada Colau’s travel authorization, saying a U.S. visa “is a privilege, not a right.” Organizers of the municipalist meeting she planned to attend in Caguas, Puerto Rico, said she would participate remotely.
The gathering, Fearless Cities, is scheduled for November 3 and 4. The department’s spokesperson said the administration under President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio was “putting American interests first in our visa process.”
The spokesperson said applications receive individual review under U.S. law. The statement described a “case-by-case” process involving a rigorous review and thorough investigation to assess eligibility.
Colau’s application was for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization, or ESTA, rather than a visa application. Her denial came after other members of her delegation received authorization to travel.
Her ESTA application was denied after an in-person interview
Colau applied for ESTA, which is required for citizens of countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program. After the initial denial, she was advised to seek reconsideration through an in-person interview at the U.S. Embassy in Madrid.
That interview took place about 15 days before the denial became public. Colau received the final decision on Tuesday. Her team said the explanation it received was a “suspicion that she wants to illegally migrate to the country.”
The account from her circle differs from the department spokesperson’s broad description of the review process. People close to Colau said the interview focused almost entirely on her pro-Palestinian activism and involvement in a Gaza flotilla, with repeated questions about her detention in Israel.
Another account of the meeting said consular officials asked whether she had been arrested, had a criminal record or had traveled to Israel. Colau said she went as part of a peaceful humanitarian mission, was detained by Israeli forces and was returned to Spain.
The Comuns, Colau’s party, said she had been “blacklisted for her activism and for ideological reasons.” Those are the party’s allegations; the department’s public statement described its general review criteria.
Her circle said officials focused on Gaza activism
Colau participated in the Global Sumud Flotilla, which attempted to reach Gaza in late 2025. Israeli forces detained more than 400 activists. Accounts differ on whether Colau was held for three days or four before being deported to Spain.
She has alleged that Israeli forces insulted and physically assaulted detainees, deprived them of sleep, and restricted their access to water and medication. After her detention, she filed a lawsuit against Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu alleging torture. Her circle said that case formed part of the context surrounding the U.S. review.
In April, the U.S. government condemned the solidarity flotilla, calling it a “pro-Hamas initiative” operated by an organization sanctioned for terrorism. It also warned participants of possible legal repercussions.
Colau called the denial a “clear case of political censorship.” She accused Trump of closing U.S. borders to people he dislikes and said she had no legal argument in her case.
“It is striking that Trump fills his mouth so much with the word freedom, but then he is closing his borders to anyone he simply does not like, because in my case, he had no legal argument.”
She also wrote on Instagram: “Milei can enter Spain to talk about cuts, but those of us who denounce genocide and defend human rights cannot enter the U.S., or other territories it has appropriated through colonialism.” She said she had visited Puerto Rico two years ago without problems and described the border policy as “arbitrary, authoritarian and undemocratic.”
Spanish allies framed the denial as a political dispute
Antonio Maíllo, federal coordinator of Izquierda Unida, compared the decision with Argentine President Javier Milei’s visit to Spain. “Milei can enter Spain to talk about cuts, but Colau cannot enter the United States to talk about rights,” he said, calling it a “paradox.” The Comuns made a similar comparison.
Pablo Bustinduy, Spain’s minister of social rights, said Colau “has to feel honored” by the denial. He contrasted her with right-wing parties that “act like patriots but bend their backs to Trump and Netanyahu.”
Emilio Delgado, the Frente Amplio’s lead candidate in Madrid, said the United States had been an example of welcome. “Neither Trump has made America great nor Abascal would make Spain great,” he said. Colau also named Trump, Milei, Netanyahu and Vox leader Santiago Abascal as leaders she opposes, saying: “Sooner rather than later, we will end this reactionary wave, kick out the Trumps, Mileis, Netanyahus and Abascals of the day.”
Her remarks also targeted U.S. authority over Puerto Rico. She called the island “a colony occupied by the United States” and said its residents’ sovereignty was not respected. She expressed hope of returning.
Fearless Cities will keep Colau on its program remotely
Organizers said the meeting would keep its original agenda and feature Colau remotely. She helped found Fearless Cities when it began in Barcelona in 2017. They described her as a founding voice of the international municipalist movement and said her physical absence would be felt.
“Ada will be present, one way or another, because ideas and courage do not require visas to cross the borders imposed on us to divide us,” organizers said. New York Mayor Zohran Mamdani was also announced as a participant.
Colau leads Spain’s left-wing Broad Front coalition ahead of the November 29 election. The coalition has been weakened by its failure to unite with Podemos, another major left-wing force. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez needs parties to the left of his Socialists to perform well to retain power.
The denial became public on the day Milei arrived in Madrid. He was due to give a talk and meet Isabel Díaz Ayuso, president of the Community of Madrid.
This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Consult a qualified immigration attorney about your specific case.
