US immigration: ‘anti-American' views on social media to factor into decisions
US Citizenship and Immigration Services, which handles requests to stay in the United States or become a citizen, said it would expand vetting of the social media postings of applicants.
'America's benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies,' agency spokesman Matthew Tragesser said in a statement.
'Immigration benefits - including to live and work in the
United States - remain a privilege, not a right.'
The US Immigration and Nationality Act, which dates back to 1952, defines anti-Americanism which at the time primarily focused on communists.
But the Trump administration has already moved aggressively to deny or rescind short-term visas for people deemed to go against US foreign policy interests, especially on Israel.
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