On April 9, 2025, the USCIS announced the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) will immediately begin screening social media accounts for all foreign nationals, “affiliated with educational institutions linked to antisemitic activity” when adjudicating immigration benefits applications. DHS immigration applications include seeking admission into the US and applying for permanent resident status. Screenings will apply to the following foreign nationals:
- F-1 Students and F-2 Dependents.
- J-1 and J-2 Dependents.
- All nonimmigrant visa categories such as H-1B, TN, and O-1
- WB/WT aka “ESTA”.
- Those granted TPS status, DACA status, and other applicants for affirmative immigration relief.
- Lawful Permanent Residents (aka green card holders).
DHS is now screening for activities deemed to be antisemitic in nature or that involve physical harassment of Jewish people and supporting antisemitic terrorism, violent antisemitic ideologies and antisemitic terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Hezbollah, or Ansar Allah aka: “the Houthis”. The announcement also stated that DHS will use the screenings to enforce all relevant immigration laws to the maximum degree. Current enforcement actions as reported by the news media extend to refusal of admission into the US, detention, and initiation of deportation proceedings.
US Department of State Social Media Surveillance and Visa Revocations.
The US Department of State (DOS) is separately conducting a social media surveillance program called “Catch and Revoke” The surveillance program is used to identify international students and scholars for visa revocations and possible deportation under the government’s new deportation program priorities found in Executive Orders, Combatting Anti-Semitism, Additional Measures to Combat Anti-Semitism and Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats. Catch and Revoke involves AI-assisted reviews of tens of thousands of visa holders’ social media accounts to identify political activity that the current administration views as a cause for concern or social media or public behavior seen by the current administration as potentially damaging to US foreign policy.
Visas are being revoked under the DOS’s interpretation of its prudential revocation authority based on “suspected” visa ineligibility, including derogatory information about the visa holder provided by other government agencies. Prudential revocations have extended beyond supporting antisemitic violent ideologies and terrorism to arrests or conviction for offenses such as DUIs. The DOS has been emailing foreign nationals informing them that their visas were revoked and urging them to leave the US voluntarily. The emails include warnings that remaining in the US could result in arrest and deportation.
Visa revocation does not automatically affect one’s lawful status in the US since a visa is a travel document required to enter the US, but not for maintaining lawful status. Under some circumstances, visa revocation can serve as a basis for the government to start removal proceedings. Foreign nationals receiving a revoked visa notice should obtain individualized legal advice from an attorney before acting on the warnings.
General Recommendations and Resources
If your social media postings or area of research are in a sensitive area that you think could be misconstrued for supporting the above focus areas, we recommend that you consult with an immigration attorney for advice. Be cautious with social media posts, reposting items, and “likes”. Certain social media activity could be misinterpreted and used against you in a review by government officials. Similarly, review the information stored on your electronic devices and your social media posts. Certain posts or other files could be misinterpreted and used against you in a review by government officials. You should also consult with an immigration attorney if you have any arrests (even if they have not resulted in a conviction) or convictions (even if pardoned or deferred) either in the US or outside of the US.
USC’s Gould Immigration Clinic’s Immigrant Legal Assistance Center (ILAC) provides free, confidential consultations, legal assistance and referrals to members of the USC Trojan Family, students, staff members, contract employees, faculty and immediate family members who may be at risk of deportation, who may be eligible to apply for immigration status or who have questions about their legal status and legal rights under the immigration laws. ILAC is supported by the Office of the Provost and USC Gould School of Law. ILAC can be reached by phone at (213) 821-9627, email at iclinic@law.usc.edu. The ILAC office is located in the Immigration Clinic at the Gould School of Law, 699 Exposition Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90089-0071. ILAC publishes KnowYour Rights information and operates an Emergency Arrest Hotline that can be reached at (213) 740-7435.
While these latest immigration developments are a cause for stress and anxiety, do not panic. You have rights which include the right to be represented by an attorney. Don’t speak or communicate with immigration officials without a lawyer. If you do choose to speak with government officials, do not lie. If you do choose to speak to government officials, you may stop speaking at any time. Educate yourself on your rights.
FSVS will post additional resources and know your rights information on our website as more information becomes available. We will also continue to share updates through our Immigration Alert emails.