The US to deny visas over antisemitic social media posts

The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced a new policy allowing social media content to be used when reviewing immigration visa applications. Specifically, this concerns identifying signs of support for antisemitic violence. Statements expressing approval of violent acts against Jews, or evidence of physically harassing members of the Jewish community, may become grounds for denying a visa or other immigration benefits.

Under the new approach, US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) will treat content supporting antisemitic terrorist organisations as an aggravating factor when deciding on visa and immigration applications.

The measure applies to all foreign nationals, including those applying for residency, a student visa, and those affiliated with educational institutions that US authorities have accused of antisemitism.

The initiative is in line with the Trump administration's 2019 and 2025 executive orders aimed at combating antisemitism and protecting the country from foreign terrorists. The new measure gives DHS additional authority in enforcing immigration law, including against individuals who support antisemitic extremism, violent ideologies, and terrorist organisations of that kind.

According to Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, "there is no room in the US for supporters of terrorism from other countries, and we are under no obligation to admit them." She also said that "Secretary Noem has made clear: those who think they can come to the US and, hiding behind the First Amendment, promote ideas of antisemitic violence are mistaken, and are not welcome here."

However, the policy has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights organisations. Free speech advocacy group FIRE said "the administration has traded its commitment to freedom of expression for fear and censorship." The Council on American-Islamic Relations accused the government of "trampling the First Amendment to serve the interests of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu."

Amid a rise in antisemitic incidents in the US since the start of the conflict in Gaza, some progressive Jewish organisations expressed concern that the Trump administration's policy defines "antisemitism" too broadly, which could lead to political abuse and negative consequences.

Critics also point to unclear mechanisms for implementing the new rules, including the use of artificial intelligence to detect antisemitic content, and the lack of a clear legal definition of antisemitic speech.

Adding to the concern is the broader context: in March, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio ordered the revocation of 300 visas. He stressed that foreign nationals do not have the same rights as US citizens, and that granting visas is a prerogative of the executive branch, not the courts. The recent arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder and organiser of pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University, raises questions about the scope of these new measures.

Jonathan Jacoby of the Nexus Task Force, which works to combat antisemitism, noted that "using vague terms like 'supporter of terrorism' to pressure immigrants will not solve the problem of antisemitism or make Jews any safer."

The new policy continues a series of steps taken against educational institutions. In particular, federal funding has been suspended for a number of universities, including Harvard, accused of an inadequate response to pro-Hamas protests. Critics argue that these actions, including tighter visa controls, point to growing pressure on dissent under the guise of combating antisemitism.

As a reminder, since 7 October 2023, the number of antisemitic incidents in the US has risen by 200%, which became one of the reasons behind this initiative. Public debate continues — with national security, human rights protections, and combating expressions of hatred all remaining at the centre of attention.