AI-assisted monitoring visas of student

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a new initiative called “Catch and Revoke,” which uses artificial intelligence (AI) to scan social media accounts and revoke visas of foreign nationals suspected of supporting Hamas or other designated terrorist organizations.

According to senior State Department officials, this program marks a significant escalation in government surveillance of visa holders. AI-assisted reviews will analyze tens of thousands of student visa holders’ social media activity, focusing on posts made after the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Officials will also examine internal databases for visa holders who were arrested but allowed to remain in the US under the Biden administration.

Scrutiny on protests and anti-Israel demonstrations

The program will extend beyond individual arrests, also investigating reports of anti-Israel demonstrations and lawsuits filed by Jewish students. Officials claim this will help identify foreign nationals allegedly engaging in anti-Semitic activities without repercussions. The State Department is working closely with the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security to implement the policy.

To launch “Catch and Revoke,” federal authorities reviewed 100,000 individuals in the Student Exchange Visitor System since October 2023. Officials reportedly found no visa revocations under the Biden administration, which one official called a “blind eye attitude toward law enforcement.”

Legal authority and political support

Under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, the Secretary of State has the authority to revoke visas of individuals deemed a threat to national security. Senator Rubio has strongly supported this policy, stating, “We see people marching at our universities and in the streets of our country… calling for Intifada, celebrating what Hamas has done… Those people need to go.”

Former President Donald Trump echoed this stance in a White House statement on January 30, warning that resident aliens who participated in pro-jihadist protests would be identified and deported. A separate executive order issued on January 20 targets visa holders and foreign nationals who “threaten national security” or “espouse hateful ideology.”

Critics warn of free speech violations

The policy has already had a chilling effect on student visa holders, deterring participation in protests critical of Israel. Abed Ayoub, head of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, warned that the initiative threatens free speech rights.

“This should concern all Americans. This is a First Amendment and freedom of speech issue, and the administration will overplay its hand,” Ayoub said.

He compared “Catch and Revoke” to Operation Boulder, a 1972 Nixon-era initiative that surveilled pro-Palestinian groups, infringing on the rights of US citizens and foreign nationals. Ayoub cautioned that using AI for speech monitoring could lead to wrongful visa revocations.

Government defends AI use for security

A senior State Department official defended the initiative, arguing that ignoring publicly available social media posts from visa applicants would be irresponsible.

“With AI technology, we have a powerful tool to identify potential threats more effectively,” the official said.

If a foreign national is found to have posted content endorsing attacks on Israel or expressing pro-Hamas views, their visa could be revoked.

Political implications and public perception

The Trump administration’s strong pro-Israel stance continues to shape immigration policies, with broad support from white evangelical voters. Meanwhile, opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza has divided the Democratic base, with some voters struggling to differentiate between support for Hamas and support for Palestinians.

A White House adviser noted that while the administration’s position is not based on polling, it benefits from being “on the right side of the issue.”

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