Foreign nationals supporting Hamas and other terror groups will now be caught and deported through an aggressive AI-powered State Department initiative that scans social media for terrorist sympathies—ending the Biden administration’s record of zero visa revocations.
Key Takeaways
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio is deploying the “Catch and Revoke” AI system to identify and deport foreign visitors showing Hamas sympathies or antisemitic tendencies
- The State Department will monitor social media and open-source information, with violators facing immediate visa revocation and deportation
- President Trump ordered the crackdown following his declaration to cut federal funding to institutions allowing “illegal protests”
- Critics raising free speech concerns have been countered by officials stating that ignoring terrorist sympathies would be a national security failure
- The initiative represents the first serious visa enforcement action after the Biden administration reportedly failed to revoke a single visa
AI Technology Deployed to Identify Terror Supporters
The State Department has launched “Catch and Revoke,” a sophisticated AI-powered initiative designed to identify and remove foreign nationals in the United States who display sympathies toward Hamas or other terrorist organizations. This technological approach will scrutinize social media posts, news articles, and other publicly available information to detect individuals expressing anti-semitic sentiments or supporting designated terrorist groups. The system represents a significant advancement in national security screening, directly addressing concerns about foreign visitors who may pose threats to American interests.
This initiative marks a stark departure from the previous administration’s approach, as reports indicate that not a single visa was revoked during the Biden presidency despite numerous instances of foreign nationals publicly expressing support for terrorist organizations. The technological solution comes as part of a broader government strategy to combat antisemitism and terrorist sympathies that have become increasingly visible, particularly on college campuses across the nation.
Zero Tolerance Policy for Foreign Terrorists Sympathizers
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has taken a firm stance on the issue, leveraging his broad authority under the Immigration Nationality Act of 1952 to revoke visas from individuals deemed threats to national security. The administration is implementing a comprehensive strategy that includes cross-checking government databases to ensure no visa holders who have been arrested for terrorist-related activities remain in the country. This approach represents a significant strengthening of America’s border security and immigration enforcement mechanisms.
“Those who support designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas, threaten our national security. The United States has zero tolerance for foreign visitors who support terrorists.” – Secretary of State Marco Rubio
The State Department’s initiative is working in close collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department to ensure swift action against identified threats. This coordinated federal approach signals the administration’s commitment to ensuring national security while addressing the recent surge in antisemitic demonstrations and terrorist sympathies that have plagued American educational institutions and public spaces.
Following Through on Presidential Directives
The “Catch and Revoke” program directly supports President Trump’s recent declaration to cut federal funding for institutions that permit “illegal protests” and his call for decisive action against agitators. The initiative represents a concrete implementation of the administration’s promise to protect American citizens and institutions from those who sympathize with terrorist organizations. While critics have raised concerns about potential free speech implications, officials have emphasized that foreign nationals seeking entry to the United States do not enjoy the same constitutional protections as citizens.
“Agitators will be imprisoned or permanently sent back to the country from which they came. American students will be permanently expelled or, depending on the crime, arrested.” – President Trump
Congressional Republicans have rallied behind the initiative, highlighting the importance of maintaining freedom of expression while ensuring that such freedoms do not infringe on the rights and safety of others. The State Department has defended the program by noting that ignoring publicly available information about visa applicants’ terrorist sympathies would constitute negligence in fulfilling their duty to protect American citizens and interests. This balanced approach aims to preserve legitimate political discourse while taking decisive action against genuine security threats.
Sources:
- Rights advocates concerned by reported US plan to use AI to revoke student visas
- State Department to deploy AI-powered ‘catch and revoke’ tools against Hamas sympathizers: report
