The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has announced a controversial new policy that will involve screening the social media activity of immigrants and visa applicants to detect antisemitic content. This move will provide grounds for denying immigration benefits, including applications for permanent residency and student visas.
The policy, which is set to take effect immediately, will particularly affect individuals applying for permanent residence, foreign students, and those affiliated with educational institutions that may be linked to antisemitic activities. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) issued a statement Wednesday, outlining the need to “protect the homeland from extremists and terrorist aliens” — a category that includes individuals supporting antisemitic terrorism and violent ideologies tied to groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Houthis.
This policy announcement follows the recent arrests and detentions of pro-Palestinian student activists Mahmoud Khalil and Rumeysa Ozturk. Both have been accused of engaging in antisemitic activities, allegations their legal teams have denied. The new initiative echoes actions taken by the Trump administration, which has already sought to deport foreign students, revoked visas, and warned universities of potential federal funding cuts over pro-Palestinian protests and other issues such as diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, as well as transgender policies.
The administration has frequently labeled pro-Palestinian protests as antisemitic and as sympathizing with militant groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, and the Houthis, all of which are designated by the U.S. as terrorist organizations.
The announcement has sparked swift criticism from civil rights groups. Advocates for free speech have expressed concerns about the surveillance and censorship of immigrants, suggesting that the policy could infringe on freedom of expression. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) criticized the move, claiming it would undermine America’s commitment to open discourse in favor of fear and silence.
Other organizations, including The Nexus Project, which combats antisemitism, condemned the policy as an attempt to target immigrants under the guise of fighting terrorism. “The administration is using politically charged language like ‘terrorist sympathizers’ to unfairly go after immigrants,” said a spokesperson.
Bend the Arc, a Jewish organization, expressed similar concerns, stating on social media: “This is not about fighting antisemitism. This is about advancing a cruel, anti-immigrant, authoritarian agenda. We refuse to be used this way.”
In response to growing protests, the Trump administration has intensified its enforcement efforts, particularly within educational spaces, cracking down on pro-Palestinian protests against the ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem emphasized last month, “It is a privilege to be granted a visa to live and study in the United States. When you advocate for violence and terrorism, that privilege should be revoked, and you should not be in this country.”
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