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U.S. immigration authorities have announced a new anti-Semitic social media policy that allows them to deny visas or permanent residency to individuals whose online posts are considered anti-Semitic by the Trump administration. The policy, which takes immediate effect, applies to all immigration categories including student visa applicants and green card seekers.
Under the new guidelines, support for groups labeled as terrorist organizations by the U.S.—including Hamas, Hezbollah, and Yemen’s Houthi movement—will be deemed as anti-Semitic behavior. The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) clarified that such online activity will be treated as a negative factor during immigration screenings.
“Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem has made it clear: anyone who thinks they can come to the U.S. and claim First Amendment protections while promoting anti-Semitic terrorism is mistaken,” said DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin.
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will now scrutinize applicants’ online content to determine whether their social media activity promotes anti-Semitic ideologies or groups. The anti-Semitic social media policy also impacts those already residing in the U.S. on temporary visas, with several students reportedly having their visas revoked.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that approximately 300 individuals have had their visas canceled so far, stressing that final visa decisions rest with his office, not the courts. “Non-citizens are not entitled to constitutional rights like American citizens,” he said.
In one high-profile case, green card holder Mahmoud Khalil, who led protests at Columbia University, is now facing deportation after being detained and transferred to Louisiana.
The administration is also taking action against academic institutions. Several prominent universities have had federal funding withdrawn after being accused of inadequate responses to anti-Semitic incidents tied to recent Gaza-related protests.
While some visa holders argue their actions did not constitute anti-Semitism, officials maintain that national security and the prevention of hate speech remain top priorities.
