US Immigrant Social Media Screening Sparks Rights Groups’ Backlash

• Trump’s administration is intensifying its response to pro-Palestinian demonstrations.
• Advocacy groups claim the government is infringing on free speech rights.
• Officials assert that supporters of terrorism are not welcome in the U.S.

WASHINGTON: On Wednesday, the U.S. government announced plans to start reviewing the social media activities of immigrants and visa applicants for what it labels antisemitic behavior. This decision sparked immediate backlash from various advocacy organizations, including some Jewish groups, who voiced concerns regarding free speech and surveillance.

The Trump administration has been actively attempting to suppress pro-Palestinian protests following the devastating military operations in Gaza by the U.S. ally Israel, which began in October 2023.

According to a statement from U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), “Starting today, the agency will evaluate applicants’ antisemitic activity on social media and any acts of harassment against Jewish individuals as valid reasons to deny immigration benefits.”

This move will have immediate implications for those applying for lawful permanent residency, international students, and individuals associated with educational institutions engaged in antisemitic activities, USCIS indicated.

“This country cannot accommodate those who sympathize with terrorists from around the globe,” they added.

The Trump administration has frequently labeled pro-Palestinian voices as antisemitic and sympathetic to groups like Hamas and Hezbollah, both designated as “terrorist” organizations by Washington.

In light of these developments, some foreign students are facing deportation, while numerous visas have been revoked. Additionally, the administration has warned educational institutions of potential cuts to federal funding if pro-Palestinian protests continue on their campuses.

Demonstrators, including members of Jewish organizations, argue that the Trump administration is misinterpreting their critiques of Israel’s actions in Gaza and their support for Palestinian rights as expressions of antisemitism and endorsements of extremism.

Human rights advocates and experts have expressed strong objections to the Trump administration’s latest measures, condemning them as threats to free speech and equivalently likening them to surveillance and targeted discrimination against immigrants.

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) has criticized the administration for “formalizing censorship practices.” They stated, “By monitoring visa and green card holders and targeting them solely based on their protected expressions, the administration is prioritizing fear and silence over America’s commitment to free and open discourse.”

The Nexus Project, an organization combating antisemitism, claims that the administration is attacking immigrants purportedly to combat antisemitism while treating the issue as one imported from abroad.

Moreover, advocates have raised alarms about potential Islamophobia and anti-Arab discrimination, yet the Trump administration has yet to announce any measures addressing these issues.