|
2025-04-19 -Land of the Free
|
|
US to vet social media accounts for visa applicants who visited Gaza after 2007
|
[IsraelTimes] Internal State Department cable says online profiles of relevant travelers should be searched for ‘potential derogatory information relating to security issues’
The Trump administration on Thursday ordered a social media vetting for all US visa applicants who have been to the Gaza Strip since January 1, 2007, an internal State Department cable seen by Reuters showed, in the latest push to tighten screening of foreign travelers.
The order to conduct a social media vetting for all immigrant and non-immigrant visas should include non-governmental organization workers as well as individuals who have been in the Hamas-ruled enclave for any length of time in an official or diplomatic capacity, the cable said.
“If the review of social media results uncovers potential derogatory information relating to security issues, then a SAO must be submitted,” the cable said, referring to a security advisory opinion, which is an interagency investigation to determine if a visa applicant poses a national security risk to the United States.
The cable was sent to all US diplomatic and consular posts.
The move comes as US President Donald Trump’s administration has revoked hundreds of visas across the country, including the status of some lawful permanent residents under a 1952 law allowing the deportation of any immigrant whose presence in the country the US secretary of state deems harmful to US foreign policy.
The cable, dated April 17, was signed by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who said in late March that he may have revoked more than 300 visas already.
A State Department spokesperson declined to comment on internal communications when asked about the cable, but said every prospective traveler to the US undergoes extensive 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 said, adding that all visa applicants are continuously vetted.
“Security vetting runs from the time of each application, through adjudication of the visa, and afterward during the validity period of every issued visa, to ensure the individual remains eligible to travel to the United States,” the spokesperson added.
Trump officials have said student visa holders are subject to deportation over their support for Palestinians and criticism of Israel’s conduct in the war in Gaza, calling their actions a threat to US foreign policy interests.
|
Posted by trailing wife 2025-04-19 2025-04-19 02:34||
||
Front Page|| [11133 views ]
Top
File under: Hamas
|
|
16:05 swksvolFF
15:26 Procopius2k
15:23 NN2N1
14:59 Pancho Poodle8452
14:52 Rambler
14:51 Grom the Affective
14:41 Elmerert Hupens2660
14:31 Regular joe
14:28 trailing wife
14:25 magpie
14:18 Elmerert Hupens2660
14:14 Regular joe
14:10 Super Hose
14:08 Super Hose
14:08 Regular joe
14:02 Super Hose
14:01 trailing wife
14:01 trailing wife
13:58 trailing wife
13:56 Super Hose
13:54 trailing wife
13:51 Super Hose
13:44 Elmerert Hupens2660
13:22 Difar Dave
|
