The United States government has announced a new directive to screen the social media accounts of foreigners applying for American visas, including students and immigrants. This initiative aims to detect anti-Semitic activities and will immediately affect those seeking permanent residency (Green Card), student visas, and individuals connected to universities or organizations accused of anti-Jewish practices.

According to a statement by the US Department of Homeland Security (DHS), foreigners who have supported or encouraged violent religious extremism, including online posts backing groups like Hamas, Hezbollah, or Yemen’s Houthi rebels, risk automatic disqualification from obtaining a US visa or residency permit. 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 sympathizers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here."

The crackdown aligns with executive orders signed by President Donald Trump aimed at combating religious extremism and terrorism. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will now consider an applicant's anti-Semitic activity on social media and physical harassment of Jewish individuals as grounds for denying immigration benefit requests. The DHS will enforce all relevant immigration laws to protect the homeland from extremists and terrorist aliens, including those who support anti-Semitic terrorism, violent anti-Semitic ideologies, and anti-Semitic terrorist organizations.

USCIS will consider social media content indicating an alien endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting anti-Semitic terrorism, anti-Semitic terrorist organizations, or other anti-Semitic activity as a negative factor in any USCIS discretionary analysis when adjudicating immigration benefit requests. This guidance is effective immediately.

Analysts suggest that this policy could significantly affect international students from the Middle East, Africa, and Asia, particularly those active on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok. Critics have raised concerns that the policy could be used to target pro-Palestinian voices or human rights activists, blurring the line between legitimate criticism of Israeli policies and promoting religious hate speech. However, the US government insists that it is not targeting any religion but is focused on violent extremists, regardless of faith.