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In a significant policy shift, U.S. immigration authorities have announced that individuals who post anti-Semitic content online may be denied visas or permanent residency. The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), a branch of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), confirmed it will begin screening social media activity as part of its immigration benefit assessments.
Effective immediately, the policy applies to all immigration benefit requests, including student visas and applications for permanent resident status (green cards). According to USCIS, anti-Semitic activity online or physical harassment of Jewish individuals will be treated as a serious negative factor during application reviews.
“USCIS will consider social media content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity as a negative factor in any discretionary analysis,” the agency stated.
Content deemed anti-Semitic includes support for groups the U.S. government designates as terrorist organizations, such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. This move aligns with broader national security goals under the current administration.
Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, said there is no place in America for individuals who sympathize with terrorist organizations. “We are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here,” she said. “Anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for anti-Semitic violence and terrorism—think again. You are not welcome here.”
Since taking office in January, President Donald Trump has tightened immigration controls, including the revocation of student visas and the deportation of foreign nationals involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Several universities have also come under pressure, with threats of losing federal funding if they fail to address such protests.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio recently revealed that around 300 individuals have had their visas revoked under this policy. “It might be more than 300 at this point,” he said on March 27. “We do it every day. Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas.”
Among the most high-profile deportation cases is that of Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born Algerian national who entered the U.S. on a student visa in 2022. Khalil, who led pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, applied for permanent residency in 2024 but was deported under the new measures.
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