Trump administration to screen for antisemitism among immigrants requesting benefits

The US Citizenship and Immigration Services says in a press release that it will begin screening the social media activity of immigrants who request benefits, including those who apply for lawful permanent resident status, foreign students and people affiliated with educational institutions “linked to antisemitic activity.”

The guidance is “effective immediately,” USCIS says.

The administration is focusing on “antisemitic activity” on social media and “physical harassment of Jewish individuals” as grounds for denying immigration benefits requests.

The announcement does not say what it is considered as “antisemitism” or identify any educational institutions. USCIS doesn’t immediately respond to an Associated Press request for information.

USCIS says it will consider social media content that indicates “endorsing, espousing, promoting, or supporting antisemitic terrorism, antisemitic terrorist organizations, or other antisemitic activity as a negative factor.”