Australia cancels rapper Ye’s visa over ‘Heil Hitler’ release

Advertisement

Advertise with us

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Ye, the U.S. rapper formerly known as Kanye West, was recently stripped of an Australian visa after he released his single “Heil Hitler,” a government minister said on Wednesday.

Read this article for free:


or

Already have an account? Log in here »

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Subscribe and receive a limited-edition Free Press branded hat or tote.

Digital Subscription

One year of digital access for only $205*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles

*First annual payment billed as $205.00 + GST for one year. This annual subscription will automatically renew at $233.00 + GST every 52 weeks (10% off the regular annual price of $259.35). Offer available to new and qualified returning subscribers only. Cancel any time.

To continue reading, please subscribe:

Add Free Press access to your Brandon Sun subscription for only an additional

$1 for the first 4 weeks*

  • Enjoy unlimited reading on winnipegfreepress.com
  • Read the E-Edition, our digital replica newspaper
  • Access News Break, our award-winning app
  • Play interactive puzzles
Start now

*Your next Brandon Sun subscription payment will increase by $1.00 and you will be charged $17.95 plus GST for four weeks. After four weeks, your payment will increase to $24.95 plus GST every four weeks.

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 02/07/2025 (438 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

MELBOURNE, Australia (AP) — Ye, the U.S. rapper formerly known as Kanye West, was recently stripped of an Australian visa after he released his single “Heil Hitler,” a government minister said on Wednesday.

Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke revealed Ye has been traveling for years to Australia, where his wife of three years, Bianca Censori, was born. Her family live in Melbourne.

Burke said “Heil Hitler,” released in May, promoted Nazism. The song has been criticized as an antisemitic tribute to German dictator Adolf Hitler.

Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, leaves federal court during the trial of Sean
Ye, the rapper formerly known as Kanye West, leaves federal court during the trial of Sean "Diddy" Combs in New York, Friday, June 13, 2025. (AP Photo/Michael R. Sisak)

“He’s been coming to Australia for a long time. He’s got family here. And he’s made a lot of offensive comments that my officials looked at again once he released the ’Heil Hitler’ song and he no longer has a valid visa in Australia,” Burke told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

“We have enough problems in this country already without deliberately importing bigotry,” Burke added.

Ye’s representative did not immediately respond to a request for comment on Wednesday.

Australia’s Migration Act sets security and character requirements for non-citizens to enter the country.

Australia’s largest cities, Sydney and Melbourne, have seen a spate of antisemitic attacks since the war between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7, 2023.

Report Error Submit a Tip

More Stories

Injuries reported after police pursuit on Broadway

Free Press staff 2 minute read Preview

Injuries reported after police pursuit on Broadway

Free Press staff 2 minute read Friday, Sep. 11, 2026

Winnipeg police are investigating a “serious incident” in which people were injured following a police pursuit near Broadway and Young Street Friday afternoon.

Police said the scene would remain secured as officers investigate. No details about the number or severity of injuries were released.

Broadway was closed between Furby and Young streets until further notice and motorists were asked to avoid the area.

Shaelyn Desmarais McLeod, whose car sustained minor damage, said she witnessed the end of the police pursuit.

Read
Friday, Sep. 11, 2026

Citizen reports help highlight connectivity issues across southwest Manitoba

Nicole Buffie 5 minute read Preview

Citizen reports help highlight connectivity issues across southwest Manitoba

Nicole Buffie 5 minute read Updated: Yesterday at 10:43 AM CDT

A southwestern Manitoba man has created a map to document cell service blackout spots in an effort to push for better access in rural areas.

Mark Custance compiled more than 300 citizen reports over the last few months to document where service in southwest Manitoba is strong, spotty or doesn’t exist at all.

“I’ve heard people complain and say, ‘cell service sucks’ or ‘this is not working.’ But what does the data actually say?” Custance said from his office in Melita, where he has installed a cell-service booster to maintain connectivity with the rest of the world.

Analyzing where service is good and poor, he cross-references it with the location of cellphone towers across the region.

Read
Updated: Yesterday at 10:43 AM CDT

The port of Churchill — but done right

Editorial 4 minute read Preview

The port of Churchill — but done right

Editorial 4 minute read Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

The seagoing grain carrier wasn’t christened with a champagne bottle. There was no confetti or streamers. Nevertheless, the Aug. 31 event marking the first shipment of grain to be loaded at the Port of Churchill since 2020 was celebrated like the launch of a brand new vessel.

The presence of the federal minister of northern and arctic affairs, provincial cabinet ministers and leaders and elders from several northern First Nations signalled that the fast-tracked process of refurbishing and buffing up Manitoba’s deep-water seaport gem is gaining momentum.

For OneNorth, the partnership of 29 First Nations and 12 northern communities which owns the Port of Churchill and the Hudson Bay Railway (both operated by the Arctic Gateway Group) the event heralded a new beginning. It’s been eight years since OneNorth purchased the port and railroad, and six years since grain was moved by rail through Manitoba and then by ship to European markets. Two more grain shipments, plus shipments of potash and critical minerals, will continue through the fall.

When Prime Minister Mark Carney solicited the premiers to suggest “nation-building” projects following his election in 2025, Premier Wab Kinew pitched a Manitoba trade corridor that would move wheat, critical minerals, potash and energy (oil or liquid natural gas) through the Port of Churchill.

Read
Yesterday at 2:00 AM CDT

Tory health critic ‘disappointed’ after being rebuffed by health officials

Carol Sanders 4 minute read Preview

Tory health critic ‘disappointed’ after being rebuffed by health officials

Carol Sanders 4 minute read Yesterday at 11:53 AM CDT

The health critic for the Progressive Conservative party says her ability to get information about the accelerated reopening of Dauphin’s emergency department was stymied by Prairie Mountain Health officials because they refused to meet with her.

“I wanted to meet with PMH staff to discuss the status of the facility and the challenges they’re facing and getting services back online,” Kathleen Cook said Friday.

“I was very disappointed that Prairie Mountain Health declined me that opportunity.”

Cook said she asked for a meeting a few days after the Sept. 7 reopening of a temporary ER at the hospital, that was severely damaged by flooding.

Read
Yesterday at 11:53 AM CDT

Customer Service

1 minute read Monday, Jan. 16, 2023

Customer ServiceHow can we help you?On this page you can subscribe to our paper, access any subscription services you may be interested in, and get help with issues you may be having. Simply click on the link below that corresponds with the service/action you are interested in.

Subscriber & All Access Digital ServicesAccountAdd a new subscriptionChange bill delivery optionsChange subscription typeChange contact informationChange or add email newslettersChange or add email address

Payments Modify automatic renewal settings or update/change credit cardMake a paymentMake a tip or donationView account adjustmentsView account payment historyView renewal notice history

DeliveryVacation starts/stopsDelivery problems

Bjorck ready to rock Prospect Challenge

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Preview

Bjorck ready to rock Prospect Challenge

Mike McIntyre 6 minute read Friday, Sep. 11, 2026

Viggo Bjorck isn’t getting ahead of himself, nor is he taking anything for granted.

A spot in the opening night lineup for the Winnipeg Jets?

Whoa, there.

The 18-year-old apparently isn’t even assuming he has an invitation to the NHL team’s main training camp when it starts next week.

Read
Friday, Sep. 11, 2026