The US government announced Wednesday it will start reviewing the social media activity of visa applicants and immigrants for antisemitic content, according to a recent report by Reuters. The announcement has been heavily criticised by certain civil liberties groups as an overreach that threatens free expression.  

Under the new policy by US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), social media posts deemed antisemitic or evidence of physically harassing Jewish individuals could lead to denied immigration applications, explains the Reuters report. The rule applies to those seeking permanent residency, foreign students, and individuals connected to institutions allegedly involved in antisemitic activities.  

"There is no room in the United States for the rest of the world's terrorist sympathisers," a USCIS spokesperson stated, echoing the Trump administration's frequent conflation of pro-Palestinian activism with support for groups like Hamas—designated as terrorist organisations by the US, adds Reuters.  

As per the Reuters report, the Trump administration has previously revoked student visas and threatened university funding over pro-Palestinian protests, arguing such demonstrations often veer into antisemitism.  

Critics, including Jewish advocacy groups, counter that the policy dangerously equates criticism of Israel with bigotry. The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE), a US-based civil liberties group, claimed the Trump administration was "formalising censorship practices", warning the move "replaces free and open discourse with fear and silence", adds the report.  

The Nexus Project, an antisemitism watchdog, noted the policy frames antisemitism as an "imported" issue rather than addressing domestic roots. Others highlight the absence of comparable measures against anti-Muslim or anti-Arab bias, despite rising reports of both during the Gaza conflict, further states the Reuters report.

The announcement marks the latest escalation in a polarised debate over free speech, national security, and Middle East politics in US immigration policy.