Introduction:
In a controversial shift, US officials will now screen immigrants’ social media for antisemitism as part of their visa and immigration status assessments, the Department of Homeland Security announced. The new guidelines will apply to green card applicants, student visa seekers, and individuals tied to educational institutions accused of antisemitic activity.
DHS Says US Officials to Screen Immigrants’ Social Media for Antisemitism
Under this policy update, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will treat online content indicating support for antisemitic terrorism, organizations, or sentiments as a “negative factor” in determining immigration status or visa eligibility. This includes endorsing or promoting ideologies or groups tied to antisemitic violence.
“This will immediately affect aliens applying for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students, and aliens affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity,” DHS stated.
State Department Orders Global Social Media Screening
Screening of Student Visa Applicants Expanded
The policy echoes a previously reported State Department directive, which ordered embassies and consulates to investigate the social media activity of certain student visa applicants. That memo, signed by Senator Marco Rubio, instructs Fraud Prevention Units to screenshot and archive relevant content, even if the applicant later deletes it. Evidence of support for terrorism or antisemitism could now become grounds for visa denial.
US Officials Crack Down on Pro-Palestinian Protesters
Students Face Visa Revocations Amid Antisemitism Concerns
The announcement comes amid a broader crackdown by the Trump administration on campus-related antisemitism. Officials have recently revoked visas and detained international students involved in pro-Palestinian protests, including Columbia graduate student Mahmoud Khalil. DHS alleges such individuals supported terrorist groups—though legal representatives have strongly denied those accusations.
Federal Funding Threatened Over Campus Antisemitism
In parallel, the administration has moved to withhold federal funding from universities it claims are failing to confront antisemitism. This includes investigating schools where protests or faculty have allegedly promoted antisemitic rhetoric.