The U.S. will begin denying visas based on the content of applicants’ social media – including posts, shares, and messages that express support for what are considered anti-Semitic messages, for example.
The country’s immigration agency, USCIS, will begin reviewing social media for all immigrants applying for lawful permanent residence, work authorization, visas, as well as foreign students and people affiliated with educational institutions.
What will be looked for are, for example, posts or messages supporting groups labeled terrorist in the United States, such as Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon or the Houthi movement in Yemen. Anti-Semitic messages are also included and will constitute “negative factors” when deciding on a visa or residence permit.
– There is no room in the United States for the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here, said Tricia McLaughlin, Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs at DHS, in a press release.
The proposal has raised concerns among immigration and free speech advocates because it could also affect people already in the country legally – not just those applying for entry. Critics also point out that it is unclear how “anti-Semitism”, for example, should be defined, and there is concern that virtually all criticism of Israel will be rejected.
According to AP News, social media monitoring by immigration authorities has been going on for over a decade, starting under the Obama administration and expanding during Donald Trump’s first term.
