Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media: 11 settlers have been killed in the strike on Bir al-Sabe'.
Israeli media: One settler dead in a shelter in Ramat Gan.
Israeli military command reports a fourth launch has been detected.
Israeli media reports eight settlers dead so far in Beer al-Sabe'.
Israeli media reports three settlers dead, several others injured in Beer al-Sabe'.
Sirens blast in Tel Aviv.
Israeli military command: In the first wave 2 missiles were launched, in the second wave 4 missiles were launched
Israeli military command: Another launch has been detected
Israeli media: 1 settler killed, 6 injured in a preliminary toll
Preliminary reports indicate that an Iranian missile made a direct hit in al-Naqab.

Trump orders Gaza-linked social media checks for visas

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 18 Apr 2025 12:27
4 Min Read

The Trump administration has ordered social media vetting for all US visa applicants with travel history to Gaza since 2007, raising concerns over free speech and civil liberties.

Listen
  • x
  • People arrive at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services in Miami, Aug. 17, 2018 (AP/Wilfredo Lee)People arrive at the US Citizenship and Immigration Services in Miami, August 17, 2018. (AP)

The Trump administration reportedly directed a social media screening for all US visa applicants who have visited the Gaza Strip on or after January 1, 2007, according to Reuters. This directive, which aims to strengthen security checks for foreign travelers, was revealed in an internal State Department cable.

The order mandates that the social media vetting applies to both immigrant and non-immigrant visa applicants, including non-governmental organization (NGO) workers and anyone who has been in Gaza in any official or diplomatic role.

This cable was sent to all US diplomatic and consular posts. The move is part of a broader push by President Trump's administration, which has already revoked hundreds of visas across the US and even retracted the legal status of some lawful permanent residents. The pretext the administration resorted to for its moves is the 1952 law that permits the deportation of any immigrant whose presence is allegedly deemed harmful to US foreign policy by the Secretary of State.

The cable specifies, "if the review of social media results uncovers potential derogatory information relating to security issues, then a SAO must be submitted," referring to a security advisory opinion (SAO), an interagency investigation to assess whether a visa applicant may pose a national security risk.

They also reiterated that all visa applicants are continuously monitored, and "security vetting runs from the time of each application, through adjudication of the visa, and afterwards during the validity period of every issued visa, to ensure the individual remains eligible to travel to the United States."

Related News

US announces aggressive visa revocation targeting Chinese students

US immigration authorities have been known to employ tactics, such as creating fake social media profiles to monitor and investigate individuals. For instance, in 2019, US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) was reported to have created fake profiles resembling university affiliations to investigate foreign students suspected of immigration fraud, as reported by The Guardian. 

Trump's war on free speech

The cable, dated April 17, was signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who mentioned in late March that he had already revoked over 300 visas. When asked about the cable, a State Department spokesperson declined to comment on internal communications but claimed that all potential travelers to the US undergo comprehensive interagency security vetting.

"The Trump Administration is focused on protecting our nation and our citizens by upholding the highest standards of national security and public safety through our visa process," the spokesperson stated.

In addition, Trump administration officials have suggested that student visa holders who support Palestinians or criticize "Israel’s" actions in Gaza could face deportation, claiming such actions pose a threat to US foreign policy interests. Critics argue that these measures infringe on free speech rights protected by the First Amendment of the US Constitution.

Despite the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech for all individuals, regardless of immigration status, there have been notable instances of the administration revoking visas for students who voiced opposition to "Israel’s" military actions in Gaza.

One of the most high-profile cases involved the arrest of Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student from Tufts University, captured on video as masked agents detained her.

When asked about Ozturk’s case at a press conference last month, Rubio responded, "Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas" and warned that more individuals could face similar consequences.

  • Visa revocation
  • Social media vetting
  • Trump
  • NGOs
  • Sao Paulo
  • Gaza

Most Read

Israeli workers survey the site where a missile launched from Iran struck in Haifa on Sunday, June 22, 2025. (AP)

True Promise 3, wave 20: 40 missiles launched, Kheibar-Shekan in first

  • Politics
  • 22 Jun 2025
Rescue team work at the site where a missile launched from Iran struck Tel Aviv, Israel, Monday, June 16, 2025 (AP)

Wave 12 of Operation True Promise 3 launched, Sejjil deployed: IRGC

  • Politics
  • 18 Jun 2025
Iran launches missile barrage to Tel Aviv, casualties reported

True Promise 3, wave 14: Tel Aviv targeted, casualties reported

  • Politics
  • 19 Jun 2025
Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

Iran's heavy barrages impact multiple Israeli targets overnight

  • Palestine
  • 18 Jun 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
President Donald Trump speaks with reporters upon arriving at Morristown Municipal Airport in Morristown, N.J., Friday, June 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Manuel Balce Ceneta)
Politics

Trump lashes out at media outlets for downplaying Iran strike impact

ap
Politics

Turkey denies role in US-Israeli strikes on Iran nuclear sites

Iran targets US air base in Qatar with 'destructive' missile strike
MENA

Iran retaliates, targets US air base in Qatar with missiles

Demonstrators hold up a banner during a protest by Palestine Action group in London, Monday, June 23, 2025. (AP Photo/Frank Augstein)
Politics

UK signals 'terror' ban on 'Palestine Action', sparking protests

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS