In a controversial new statement, the Department of Homeland Security has announced that it will start screening immigrants’ social media for “antisemetic” content.
According to a statement by the DHS, the US Citizenship and Immigration Services will track social content that is “endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity,”
In a press release, the UCIS adds that this social media content watch will immediately affect those applying for permanent residency, along with foreign students, and those “affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.”
The DHS Issues a Statement
“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,” Tricia McLaughlin, DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, said in a statement. “Sec. Noem has made it clear that anyone who thinks they can come to America and hide behind the First Amendment to advocate for anti-Semitic violence and terrorism – think again. You are not welcome here.”
The move comes as President Donald Trump leads a crusade against pro-Palestinian foreign students. In recent weeks, as reported by NPR, more than a dozen foreign students have been arrested or had their legal status questioned.
The most high-profile cases include Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian student at Columbia, and Badar Khan Suri, an Indian postdoctoral student at Georgetown. Both of them publicly criticized Israel’s bombing of Gaza.
Meanwhile, the devastating attacks on the Gaza Strip continue. On April 9, 29 Palestinians, some of whom were children, were killed by an Israeli air strike. Calling this out doesn’t constitute antisemitism, so perhaps it’s the Trump administration that’s hiding behind words.
