Heightened Social Media Vetting

Consistent with President Trump’s executive order “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats”, and “Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism”, U.S. immigration agencies are significantly increasing scrutiny of social media activity related to antisemitism when adjudicating applications for visas and immigration-related benefits. These changes are reflected in a U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) public announcement and a U.S. State Department (DOS) internal cable, which are already impacting noncitizens across various visa and immigration categories.

USCIS to Weigh Antisemitic Activity in Immigration Decisions

In a significant policy shift, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) announced that it will now consider antisemitic activity—particularly on social media and in physical acts of harassment—as a negative factor in evaluating immigration benefit applications. This move will directly impact applicants for lawful permanent residence, foreign students, and individuals associated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity.

At its core, this policy signals a broader national security and ideological vetting approach by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), aimed at curbing entry or continued residence of individuals perceived to support antisemitic violence or extremist ideologies. The policy emphasizes discretion in immigration adjudications, allowing USCIS officers to weigh online speech and affiliations as part of their overall assessment of an applicant’s eligibility.

Consistent with earlier Trump-era executive orders targeting antisemitism and terrorism, the policy names specific organizations—including Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Houthis—as examples of affiliations that could raise red flags. The announcement is clearly separating free speech from what the administration characterizes as support for antisemitic terrorism.

This development underscores the growing intersection of immigration enforcement with national security, social media activity, and political expression. Clients with foreign national employees or should be aware that online conduct and institutional affiliations may now carry immigration consequences.

DOS to Vet Social Media of Student Visa Applicants

Journalists have reported that the U.S. Department of State issued an internal cable on March 25, 2025 directing U.S. consular officers to enhance social media scrutiny for F-1, M-1, and J-1 visa applicants as part of the visa application process for college, university, and other post-secondary students. The DOS directive reportedly targets anyone who meets any of the following criteria:

• Individuals who appear otherwise eligible but are believed to have openly advocated for a designated foreign terrorist organization;
  
• Individuals who held F-1, M-1, or J-1 status in the U.S. between October 7, 2023 and August 31, 2024; or
  
• Individuals whose prior SEVIS record was terminated between October 7, 2023 and the present.

Specifically, the DOS cable directs consular officers to evaluate F, M, or J student visa applicants to determine if they intend to engage in unlawful activities or activities inconsistent with their visa applications. If applicants do not credibly prove that their activities in the U.S. align with the specific requirements of their visa, the cable instructs that their visa applications should be denied under Section 214(b). Consular officers are instructed to take screenshots of applicants’ social media profiles and store them as evidence for potential denials or revocations of visas. In addition to denying the visa application, the cable instructs officers to assess whether a student visa applicant is inadmissible under INA 212(a)(3)(B) for supporting a terrorist organization. The cable also notes that, even without direct support for terrorist activity or a terrorist organization, an individual may still be at risk of visa revocation if they “bear [] a hostile attitude toward U.S. citizens or U.S. culture (including government, institutions, or founding principles.”

Clients should be regularly checking the email address used on their DS-160 for possible communications from DOS or a consular post regarding visa revocation.