New USCIS Social Media Vetting Targets Links to Hamas, Hezbollah

The United States Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is now implementing stricter scrutiny of visa applicants' social media activity, effective immediately. The new measures target individuals seeking lawful permanent resident status and student visas, focusing on interactions with designated terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, and the Houthis. 

This policy aligns with previous executive orders that mandate enhanced vetting procedures for foreign nationals seeking entry into the US. 

The administration asserts the initiative aims to prevent the entry and stay of individuals who support terrorist organizations or promote anti-Semitic violence. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin states, "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." Secretary Kristi Noem reinforces this position, warning that individuals advocating for anti-Semitic violence under the guise of free speech would face rejection. 

The enhanced screening has already resulted in the cancellation of hundreds of student visas. One such case involved Momodou Taal, a former Cornell University student and dual citizen of the United Kingdom and the Gambia. Taal's visa was revoked following the discovery of social media posts in which he advocated for the destruction of the United States "empire." Taal chose self-deportation after a judge declined to halt his removal. 

The policy has drawn sharp criticism from groups on the far-left and anti-Israel protesters, who claim it infringes on rights and unfairly targets students. Demonstrations have occurred nationwide, including a march to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement headquarters in Washington, D.C., demanding the release of affected individuals. 

Secretary of State Marco Rubio defends the measures, asserting that visas would not be granted to individuals intending to disrupt academic institutions or engage in unlawful activities. "If you apply for a visa to enter the United States and be a student, and you tell us that the reason why you're coming to the United States is not just because you want to write op-eds, but because you want to participate in movements that are involved in doing things like vandalizing universities, harassing students, taking over buildings, creating a ruckus, we're not going to give you a visa," Rubio states.