The United States government said on Wednesday that it will begin to track social networks of immigrants and visa applicants to monitor what it called “anti-Semitic activity”, leading to rapid condemnations of human rights advocates, including some Jews, who raised concerns about freedom of expression and vigilance.
He tried to repress the against the devastating military attack of Israel, the US ally in Gaza, after the deadly onslaught of the Palestinian Islamic group Hamas in October 2023.
“Today, the US Citizenship and Immigration Service (USCIS) will begin to consider the anti -Semitic activity of foreigners on social networks and the physical harassment of Jewish individuals as reasons for denying immigration benefits requests,” USCIS, a statement of the internal security department, said.
The measure will immediately affect those who request the status of legal resident, foreign students and those affiliated with educational institutions linked to anti -Semitic activities, he added.
“There is no space in the United States for the sympathizers of terrorism of the rest of the world.”
The Trump administration has often labeled pro-Palestinian voices such as anti-Semites and sympathizers of militant groups such as Hamas, Hezbollah and the Houthis rebels, which Washington designates as “terrorists.”
The government is trying, revoked several visas, and warned universities about federal funds cuts due to pro-palestine protests.
Protesters, including some Jewish groups, say the Trump government confuses their criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and supporting Palestinian rights with anti -Semitism and support for extremism.
Activists and human rights experts have condemned the Trump administration, including Wednesday’s announcement, which, according to them, threatens freedom of expression and is similar to the surveillance and exclusion of immigrants.
The Freedom of Expression Group Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) said the Trump government was “formalizing censorship practices.”
“By watching over the visa carriers and Green Card and visiting them based on nothing more than their protected expression, the government exchanges the United States commitment to free and open speech for fear and silence,” Fire said.
Nexus Project, which fights anti -Semitism, said the Trump government was chasing immigrants in the name of combating anti -Semitism and treating the theme as an imported problem.
Human rights advocates also raised concerns about Islamophobia and anti -huge prejudice during the war between Israel and Gaza. The Trump government has not announced measures in response.
