In a significant move that ties immigration approvals to online activity, the United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has issued a new directive stating that visa and permanent residency applicants may be denied entry or have existing visas revoked if their social media content is considered anti-Semitic or supportive of terrorist groups.
The policy, which takes immediate effect, empowers immigration authorities to scrutinise social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for posts that appear to support groups designated as terrorist organisations by the US government, including Hamas, Hezbollah in Lebanon, Yemen’s Houthi insurgents, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
According to USCIS, “social media content that indicates an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting or supporting anti-Semitic terrorism, anti-Semitic terrorist organisations or other anti-Semitic activity” will be regarded as a negative factor in evaluating visa or green card applications.
DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Tricia McLaughlin, stated: “There is no room in the United States for the rest of the world’s terrorist sympathisers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here.”
The enforcement of this policy has already led to the revocation of visas. US Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed that more than 300 individuals had their visas stripped in recent weeks. “Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” Rubio said on 27 March. He further explained that non-US citizens do not have the same rights under the First Amendment and that visa decisions lie with the executive, not the judiciary.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem reinforced the administration’s stance, saying, “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.”
The policy arrives amid increasing tensions on US campuses and protests related to the Israel-Palestine conflict. It particularly targets content critical of Israel and supportive of organisations that the US deems involved in anti-Semitic terrorism.
One prominent case involves pro-Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil, who reportedly led demonstrations at Columbia University and has since had his visa revoked.
The new rules apply to all visa categories, including student visas and green card applications, marking a dramatic shift in how digital expression impacts immigration outcomes.
