In a sweeping new policy, the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced on April 09, 2025, that it will begin screening immigrants’ social media accounts for antisemitic content as grounds to deny visa and green card applications. The move, effective immediately, will impact individuals applying for lawful permanent residence, foreign students, and immigrants affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.
The new guidance states that social media content indicating an individual is “endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity” will be considered a negative factor during the adjudication of immigration benefit requests. This measure builds upon executive orders introduced during former President Donald Trump’s administration, including Combating Anti-Semitism and Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists.
“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 DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin. “Secretary Noem has made it clear that anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for antisemitic violence and terrorism – think again. You are not welcome here.”
Immigration officials have used social media monitoring tools for over a decade to detect potential national security threats. However, critics and free speech advocates warn that the latest guidance could open the door to targeting political speech under the guise of national security. Last month, the Trump administration also proposed collecting the social media handles of all individuals applying for immigration benefits such as green cards or U.S. citizenship, a move some see as a precursor to this new enforcement initiative.
 announced on April 09, 2025, that it will begin screening immigrants’ social media accounts for antisemitic content as grounds to deny visa and green card applications. The move, effective immediately, will impact individuals applying for lawful permanent residence, foreign students, and immigrants affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.){kind=link}