US Visa Policy Rule: The US State Department has announced that the social media of foreign visa applicants who have visited the Gaza Strip will be thoroughly investigated.
US Visa Policy: The US has made a major change in the visa rules. They have implemented a new law regarding any foreign citizen who has visited the Gaza Strip. According to the new rule, social media accounts will be checked during the visa application on behalf of any foreign citizen who has visited the Gaza Strip after January 1, 2007. This decision has been taken by the US State Department under the direction of Secretary Marco Rubio. This rule has been applied to all types of visas, both immigrant and non-immigrant.
This also includes student visas, tourist visas and diplomatic visits. Apart from this, employees and volunteers of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) who have worked in Gaza. These people will come under the purview of the policy.
Digital surveillance in the name of security
The primary objective of the new policy is to identify potential security risks of people who have returned from Gaza. If any content is found in a person’s social media or digital activities, which is considered a threat to America’s national security, then his visa application will be sent for inter-agency review. On the matter, Secretary Marco Rubio said that we have canceled more than 300 such visas since the beginning of 2025, including many student visas.
Are those who criticize Israel targeted?
According to reports, many foreign students who criticized Israel’s military actions in Gaza. Their visas have been canceled. This move also indicates a ban on criticism of America’s foreign policy. While the US Constitution provides freedom of expression to every person, regardless of his visa status.
Harvard University became the main target
The Trump administration has specifically targeted Harvard University. Based on the protests in Harvard after the Gaza conflict, the administration demanded policy changes from the university, which is as follows.
- Abolition of Positive Action (Positive Reservation).
- Screening out students who may be “anti-American values”.
- Controlling anti-Semitic activities on campus.
Rejection of these demands has resulted in the suspension of $2 billion in federal funding. The Department of Homeland Security even said that Harvard is no longer eligible to host international students.
Is this policy against the spirit of the Constitution?
The United Nations, human rights organizations and many American academics have seen this move as ‘digital censorship’ and ‘violation of freedom of expression’. They believe that this policy is contrary to America’s democratic values. It is an attempt to silence students and human rights activists. It puts foreign applicants in an atmosphere of fear.
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