The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has introduced a new policy that mandates thorough reviews of visa and green card applicants’ social media activity. This move aims to identify expressions of antisemitism and support for designated terrorist groups, including Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Houthis, reports YNetNews.
Under this policy, posts that glorify terrorism, endorse antisemitic violence, or promote extremist ideologies will be flagged and treated as grounds for visa denial or revocation of permanent residency. A USCIS spokesperson stated, „There is no place in the United States for those who exploit free speech to promote terrorism.” The agency clarified that while freedom of expression is protected, advocating violence or aligning with terror groups disqualifies individuals from U.S. immigration benefits.
This shift aligns with an executive order issued by President Donald Trump. It marks a departure from previous practices under the Biden administration, which were criticised for questioning Israeli applicants about their military service. The new focus, however, is on ensuring that applicants do not pose a security threat based on their online conduct.
The policy underscores the U.S. government’s effort to strengthen national security by preventing entry to individuals perceived as threats due to hate speech or support for terrorism, particularly targeting antisemitism in the current geopolitical climate.
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