Trump administration will screen for antisemitic activity in granting immigration benefits
Share and Follow


WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump ‘s administration will immediately start considering “antisemitic activity” on social media and physical harassment of Jewish people as grounds for denying immigration benefits, according to a federal agency announcement on Wednesday.

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services will begin screening the social media activity of immigrants that request benefits, including those who apply for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and people affiliated with educational institutions “linked to antisemitic activity.” The guidance takes effect immediately, according to the release.

The announcement followed a notice last month about a Department of Homeland Security proposal to collect social media handles from people applying for benefits such as green cards or citizenship, to comply with an executive order from Trump. The public and federal agencies had until May 5 to provide feedback.

The proposal notice raised alarms from immigration and free speech advocates because it appears to expand the government’s reach in social media surveillance to people already vetted and in the U.S. legally and not just those applying to enter the country. However, social media monitoring by immigration officials has been a practice for over a decade, since at least the second Obama administration and ramping up under Trump’s first term.

Wednesday’s announcement does not say what would be considered as “antisemitism” or identify the educational institutions. USCIS did not respond immediately to an Associated Press request for information.

Since Trump took office, there have been a growing number of attempted deportations against foreign-born students who joined pro-Palestinian protests or expressed criticism of Israel. Mahmoud Khalil, for example, was arrested last month and detained, with the administration saying it revoked his green card because his role in the campus protests amounted to antisemitic support for Hamas.

The agency said it will consider social media content that indicates “endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity as a negative factor” when adjudicating immigration benefit requests.

When describing extremists and terrorist aliens, USCIS refers to those who support “antisemitic terrorism, violent antisemitic ideologies and antisemitic terrorist organizations.” It names Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad and Hezbollah.

Share and Follow
You May Also Like
Russian drones attack Ukrainian city Odesa leaving 23 injured — including children and a pregnant woman

Devastating Drone Assault in Odesa: 23 Injured, Including Children and Pregnant Woman

A significant drone assault by Russia on the Ukrainian city of Odesa…
Andrew Garay, US Army veteran and dad killed in Humboldt Park, Chicago shooting, remembered as selfless, hardworking

Honoring Andrew Garay: A Selfless US Army Veteran and Devoted Father Tragically Lost in Chicago Shooting

In the wake of a tragic weekend shooting on Chicago’s Northwest Side,…
Trump visits Iowa trying to focus on affordability during fallout over nurse's Minneapolis shooting

Trump Targets Iowa: Addressing Affordability Amid Minneapolis Nurse Shooting Controversy

DES MOINES, Iowa — President Donald Trump is set to visit Iowa…
Tupac Shakur's mother lived in 'SCARY' houseboat community

Unveiling the Eerie Reality: Tupac Shakur’s Mother and Her Life in a Haunted Houseboat Community

Afeni Shakur, the mother of iconic rapper Tupac Shakur, who was famously…
FBI fugitive Ryan Wedding, former Olympic snowboarder turned alleged drug kingpin, to appear in court

Former Olympic Snowboarder and FBI Fugitive Ryan Wedding Faces Court on Drug Charges

Once celebrated for his prowess on the snowy slopes, former Canadian Olympic…
Repeat offender street racing at 106 mph mows down EMT after previously killing someone in crash: police

Reckless Driver with History of Fatal Crashes Kills EMT in 106 mph Street Race: Police Report

A Wisconsin man, previously convicted for a fatal car crash, finds himself…
Kate thrills youngsters as she appears at trauma therapy centre

Kate Middleton Captivates Young Hearts at Trauma Therapy Center Visit

The Princess of Wales recently visited a trauma therapy center, which she…
Hundreds of Border Patrol agents ordered to LEAVE Minneapolis

Hundreds of Border Patrol Agents Redeployed from Minneapolis

In a sweeping reshuffle prompted by Tom Homan, the so-called ‘little Napoleon’…