Trump Administration Imposes Social Media Screening for Gaza-Linked U.S. Visa Applicants

The Trump administration has mandated social media vetting for all U.S. visa applicants who have traveled to the Gaza Strip since January 1, 2007, according to an internal State Department cable obtained by Reuters. This directive affects both immigrant and non-immigrant visa seekers, including NGO workers and diplomats who visited the region in any official capacity.

The cable, signed by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, instructs consular officers to review applicants’ social media activity for any potential security concerns. If concerning information is found, a Security Advisory Opinion (SAO) must be submitted for further interagency review. The policy was distributed to all U.S. diplomatic and consular missions worldwide.

This decision aligns with the Trump administration's broader efforts to strengthen immigration scrutiny under a 1952 law, which permits visa revocation if an immigrant is deemed harmful to U.S. foreign policy. Secretary Rubio stated in March that over 300 visas had already been revoked.

The State Department declined to comment on the leaked cable but reiterated its commitment to rigorous security screening. "Visa applicants undergo extensive interagency vetting throughout the entire application process," a spokesperson said, emphasizing the continuous monitoring of visa holders.

Critics argue the policy infringes on First Amendment rights, particularly targeting students and activists who support Palestinians or criticize Israel’s actions in Gaza. In one high-profile case, Rumeysa Ozturk, a Turkish student at Tufts University, was detained by U.S. agents, prompting backlash over freedom of speech violations.

Rubio defended the policy, stating, “Every time I find one of these lunatics, I take away their visas,” warning that more revocations are imminent. The directive highlights escalating tensions around U.S. visa policies amid the Gaza conflict and growing global scrutiny.