US Starts Monitoring Immigrants' Social Media for Antisemitism

The U.S. government has implemented a new policy requiring the screening of social media posts by visa applicants to identify and deny entry to individuals promoting anti-Semitic terrorism or affiliated with extremist organizations such as Hamas and Hezbollah. The policy, effective immediately, applies to those seeking student visas and permanent residency, with officials stating it aims to enhance national security and protect against potential threats. Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services emphasized that any endorsement of anti-Semitic ideologies will be a negative factor in immigration applications. Critics have raised concerns about privacy violations and potential bias in enforcing this policy, particularly against students and foreign nationals. This policy follows a broader trend of increased scrutiny of immigrants' backgrounds and affiliations as part of the Trump administration's immigration strategy. The implications of such measures have sparked debate over civil liberties and the balance between security and individual rights.