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The Guardian
22-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Key takeaways from trial over Trump administration's ‘ideological deportation' policy
A trial over the extraordinary measures taken by the Trump administration to detain foreign scholars over their pro-Palestinian speech revealed previously unknown details about the extent to which immigration officials broke with precedent in their campaign against university activists. The case, which was brought by the national American Association of University Professors (AAUP); its Harvard, Rutgers and New York University chapters; and the Middle East Studies Association (Mesa) after the arrest of several noncitizen students and scholars who had been outspoken about Palestinian rights, marked the first time the administration was asked to defend its position that it has the authority to deport noncitizens over constitutionally protected speech. The plaintiffs argued the government's actions amounted to an illegal 'ideological deportation' policy. 'The Trump administration is imprisoning and expelling people because of their political viewpoints,' said Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute, which represented the plaintiffs along with the law firm Sher Tremonte. 'It would be difficult to conceive of a policy more offensive to the first amendment, or to the values the first amendment was meant to serve.' While the four arrested scholars – including the Columbia University graduate Mahmoud Khalil and Tufts University student Rümeysa Öztürk – have all been released from detention while their legal cases proceed, others have left the country to avoid arrest and one is in hiding. The trial ended in Boston on Monday. The judge in the case, Reagan appointee William G Young, is not expected to rule on the case for at least a few weeks. Any decision he makes will almost certainly be appealed, possibly up to the US supreme court. These are some of the revelations that came out of the trial. Among the trial's most explosive revelations was the fact that the government relied on dossiers compiled by the rightwing Canary Mission, a secretive, pro-Israel group dedicated to doxing thousands of pro-Palestinian students, scholars and activists, as well as information by the far-right Zionist group Betar USA, which even the pro-Israel Anti-Defamation League lists as an extremist organisation. Both Canary Mission and Betar had been involved in compiling 'deportation lists', sending 'thousands of names' to government officials. While that had been previously reported, the testimony of senior US immigration officials revealed for the first time the extent to which the government relied on such lists. Peter Hatch, a senior official within Immigration and Customs Enforcement's Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division, testified that the agency assembled a group of officials – known internally as the 'Tiger Team' – dedicated to investigating student protesters. The team rapidly compiled more than 100 reports based on a list of 5,000 individuals identified on the Canary Mission website. The dossiers the agency compiled on Öztürk, Khalil and others highlighted their pro-Palestinian speech, Hatch testified, included their Canary Mission pages, as well as, in Öztürk's case, an op-ed she wrote in a student paper. 'The direction was to look at the website,' Hatch said in court. 'That we should look at the individuals named in the Canary Mission website.' Four of the officers involved in Öztürk and Khalil's arrests, as well as in the arrests of Columbia graduate Mohsen Mahdawi and Georgetown postdoctoral fellow Badar Khan Suri, said that orders to prioritize the scholars had come from high up within the Trump administration. They also admitted they had never taken part in such arrests before. A New England Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) agent involved in Mahdawi's arrest, William Crogan, said that he had never seen a noncitizen removed from the US based on similar factual allegations and that his superiors had ordered him to prioritize the case. Patrick Cunningham, an Ice agent in Boston, said the same of Öztürk's case, while Darren McCormack, an agent in New York, said that the request to arrest Khalil was unusual and that he was told the US secretary of state, Marco Rubio, and the White House were specifically interested in Khalil's case. Andre Watson, a senior HSI official, testified that early in the Trump administration, Ice and the state department coordinated on a new process to implement the president's executive orders targeting student protesters. During the trial, the government's attorneys sought to block the release of documents detailing its processes and reasons for revoking student visas and issuing determinations of removability for green card holders such as Khalil and Mahdawi. The records for only five of the targeted students were released in the end; many others were not. The government also succeeded in blocking the release of a state department report detailing the administration's policies on the matter. The government has claimed the authority to deport noncitizens who have committed no crimes but whose presence it deems poses a threat to US foreign policy and national security, and it has said that the students' presence in the US interfered with its stated efforts to combat antisemitism. The US Department of Justice did not immediately respond to a request for comment but in court filings it called claims of an ideological deportation policy the product of plaintiffs' 'imagination'. But John Armstrong, the most senior official at the state department's bureau of consular affairs, admitted under questioning that statements critical of Israel or US foreign policy could qualify noncitizens for deportation. He also admitted that officials who were instructed to compile allegations about the individuals targeted received no guidance about what constitutes antisemitism even as they sometimes invoked 'antisemitic conduct' in their memos. The administration's lawyers have also equivocated on whether noncitizens have the same constitutional rights as US citizens, at one point saying they do, but later adding that there are 'nuances' related to national security, immigration and foreign policy matters. Both citizen and noncitizen scholars testified about the climate of fear created by the arrests. Megan Hyska, a Canadian philosophy professor at Northwestern University in Chicago, said in court that she decided not to publish an op-ed she had written about organising resistance to the Trump administration's policies out of fear of being targeted for arrest. Nadje Al-Ali, a German anthropologist and former director of the Center for Middle East Studies at Brown University, said she canceled plans to travel abroad and stopped pursuing research related to Palestine because of similar concerns. Veena Dubal, the AAUP's general counsel, testified that the government's fearmongering campaign has fundamentally altered the group's activities. She said that members who had previously been very active within the group stopped attending meetings. Aslı Bâli, Mesa's president, warned in a statement to the Guardian that the impact of the government's policies risked only growing worse. 'The government is abducting individuals, and thereby separating families and squandering public resources, purely on the basis of protected political speech that they disagree with,' she said. 'They need to be held to account, and our rights need to be defended, because otherwise we will find these protections gone – and the chilling effect will be pervasive.'
Time of India
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Will your social media meme get you denied a US visa? Here is what every Indian student must know
Indian students review their online presence before a visa interview. A quiet tension hangs in the air, mixed with hope. (AI Image) The US State Department has resumed processing student visas for foreign nationals, including thousands of Indian students eager to pursue higher education in the US. This follows a temporary suspension in May, which left many applicants in limbo as the academic year approached. However, a new policy has introduced a significant hurdle: All visa applicants must now provide full access to their social media accounts for review. This expanded vetting process, aimed at identifying "hostility" towards the US, its culture, government, or institutions, has sparked concerns among Indian students, who form the largest group of international students in the US Why social media scrutiny? The US State Department's new directive mandates that consular officers thoroughly examine applicants' social media profiles, which must be set to "public" for review. Posts or interactions deemed anti-American or supportive of terrorism or antisemitism could lead to visa denial. Refusal to grant access may be interpreted as an attempt to conceal online activity, further jeopardising approval chances. Impact on Indian students Indian students, contributing over $40 billion annually to the US economy, face unique challenges under this policy. Many have expressed anxiety about their online presence, fearing that even humorous memes or political comments could be misconstrued. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like What She Did Mid-Air Left Passengers Speechless medalmerit Learn More Undo For instance, a light-hearted post critiquing US culture might be flagged as hostile, despite being innocuous. The vague guidelines leave room for subjective interpretation, raising concerns about fairness. How to prepare your online presence To navigate this, students are advised to audit their social media accounts well in advance. They should delete inactive profiles and ensure active ones reflect neutral or professional content. "I don't think any American would want to be judged by their worst tweet," said Stuart Anderson of the National Foundation for American Policy, as quoted by the Washington Post, highlighting the risk of broad interpretations. Compiling a list of current handles for the DS-160 visa application form is crucial, as incomplete disclosures could signal evasiveness. Broader implications and criticisms Critics, including Jameel Jaffer of the Knight First Amendment Institute, argue that this policy chills free speech, evoking Cold War-era ideological vetting. "This policy makes a censor of every consular officer, and it will inevitably chill legitimate political speech both inside and outside the United States," Jaffer said, as reported by the Associated Press. The requirement, rooted in Executive Order 14188, targets issues like antisemitism but risks stifling legitimate political expression. Indian students, already navigating delays and a new US travel ban affecting six countries, must now tread carefully online to secure their academic dreams. With visa interviews resuming, proactive preparation is key. Indian students should monitor official US embassy updates and maintain a professional digital footprint to avoid visa complications. Is your child ready for the careers of tomorrow? Enroll now and take advantage of our early bird offer! Spaces are limited.
Indian Express
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Indian Express
US reopens foreign students visa process but there is a catch: 10 points
The visa process for the United States just got a lot more invasive. The US State Department on Thursday officially resumed processing student visa applications, but with a twist. Now, applicants must unlock their social media accounts for government review. 1. After a short and temporary suspension, the United States government has restarted student visa applications. However, the new policy needs applicants to make their social media accounts public during the review process refusal to follow could lead to rejection. 2. According to Associated Press reports, consular officers are now instructed to scan applicants' social media for any posts that might seem hostile toward the US government, institutions, culture, or founding principles. Even the political opinion could be misinterpreted. 3. The US State Department has warned that if an applicant declines to make their social media visible, it may be interpreted as an attempt to hide something, potentially jeopardizing their visa approval. 4. Applicants from different countries like India, China, Mexico, and the Philippines are among those most anxiously tracking visa slots, refreshing websites daily and watching State Department updates closely. 5. The US will now prioritise visa interviews for students applying to institutions where international students make up less than 15 per cent of the population. This can completely disadvantages students aiming for top private schools, especially the Ivy League schools, where foreign student ratios are much higher. 6. Harvard University, with around 25 per cent international enrollment, has faced explicit targeting. The Trump administration accused the school of permitting 'antisemitic' speech and proposed capping foreign admissions at 15 per cent. 7. Critics liken this policy to Cold War-era ideological vetting. According to Jameel Jaffer, executive director at the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, the new screening could suppress free speech and create a 'censorship' culture among consular officers, AP reported. 8. Earlier this year, students even those with minor infractions like traffic violations faced sudden deportation orders. Though the decision was later reversed, the expansion of revocation criteria remains a looming threat. 9. The United States is now pressing 36 countries to ramp up their own screening systems or risk being added to the US travel ban list, which currently includes 12 nations. These demands come with a strict 60-day compliance deadline. 10. This policy shift is likely to reduce applications to US universities, especially elite institutions.
Time of India
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
US resumes student visas but mandates full access to social media accounts
The US State Department announced on June 18, 2025, that it is resuming the processing of student visas for foreign nationals. However, a new policy now requires all applicants to grant full access to their social media accounts as part of an expanded vetting process. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now The department's move follows a month-long suspension of visa interview scheduling, which aimed to prepare consular staff for the new screening procedures. As reported by the Associated Press, applicants who refuse to make their accounts public or deny access could be denied entry into the US. Officials stated that refusal to comply may be interpreted as an attempt to conceal online activity or evade national security protocols. Screening for anti-US sentiment and ideology In its public notice, the State Department said consular officers will examine posts and messages for any signs of hostility toward US culture, government, institutions, or founding values. The guidance instructs visa officials to carefully screen applicants for ideological leanings and political speech that could be considered a threat to US interests. As quoted by the Associated Press, the department stated this policy 'will ensure we are properly screening every single person attempting to visit our country. ' This shift has raised serious concerns among civil liberties advocates. Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, said the policy resembles Cold War-era ideological vetting. 'This policy makes a censor of every consular officer, and it will inevitably chill legitimate political speech both inside and outside the United States,' Jaffer said, as reported by the Associated Press. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Foreign students still face prioritization and quotas Though student visa processing has resumed, the State Department instructed US consulates to prioritize applicants planning to attend universities where foreign students make up less than 15% of the student body. According to the Associated Press, this could impact nearly 200 institutions, including all eight Ivy League schools and 26 public universities such as the University of Illinois and Pennsylvania State University. The Trump administration has been pushing to cap foreign student enrollment, especially at elite institutions like Harvard University, which relies on international students for both enrollment numbers and tuition revenue. Trump has previously argued that such schools should limit their foreign student populations to 15%. Students globally express relief and concern The decision to resume visa appointments brought relief to many waiting students. One 27-year-old Chinese Ph.D. student in Toronto secured a visa interview and told the Associated Press, 'I'm really relieved… I've been refreshing the website couple of times every day.' Still, the balance between national security and academic freedom continues to stir debate as the new policy takes effect.
Hindustan Times
18-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
US reopens visas for foreign students, imposes mandatory social media screening
The US State Department on Wednesday announced that it is restarting student visa applications for foreigners. However, all applicants will now have to give access to their social media accounts for review. The department said consular officers will check for posts or messages that appear hostile toward the United States, its government, culture, institutions, or founding values. Student visa applicants who refuse to make their social media accounts public may now face rejection, the US State Department said in a notice released Wednesday. The department also announced it had lifted the suspension on student visa processing imposed in May. It added that refusing access to social media could be seen as an attempt to hide online behaviour or evade screening. The Trump administration temporarily paused new visa interview appointments for international students last month as it prepared to tighten social media screening, officials said. Students worldwide have been anxiously waiting for US consulates to resume scheduling, with limited time left to arrange travel and housing before the academic year begins. 'Under new guidance, consular officers will conduct a comprehensive and thorough vetting of all student and exchange visitor applicants,' the department said in a statement. 'To facilitate this vetting,' applicants 'will be asked to adjust the privacy settings on all their social media profiles to 'public,' the department said. It added, 'The enhanced social media vetting will ensure we are properly screening every single person attempting to visit our country.' The State Department has instructed consular officers to screen visa applicants' social media profiles for 'any indications of hostility toward the citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles of the United States.' Jameel Jaffer, executive director of the Knight First Amendment Institute at Columbia University, criticised the move, saying it echoes Cold War-era ideological vetting that excluded artists and intellectuals. 'This policy makes a censor of every consular officer, and it will inevitably chill legitimate political speech both inside and outside the United States," Jaffer said.
