Overview

• An internal State Department cable dated April 17 mandates social media reviews for all U.S. visa applicants who have visited Gaza since 2007.
• The directive applies to both immigrant and non-immigrant visas, including NGO workers and individuals in official or diplomatic roles.
• If security-related derogatory content is identified during social media reviews, a Security Advisory Opinion (SAO) must be submitted for further investigation.
• The Trump administration has already revoked hundreds of visas under a 1952 law, with Secretary Rubio warning of more revocations to come.
• Critics argue the policy infringes on First Amendment rights, while officials defend it as essential to national security and public safety.