U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has directed American diplomats to examine visa applicants' social media accounts for content critical of the United States and Israel, according to a report by The New York Times.
This directive, issued on March 25, aligns with an executive order signed by President Donald Trump in January, which mandates that foreign nationals should not harbor hostile attitudes toward U.S. citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles, nor support designated foreign terrorists or other threats to national security.
Since assuming office in late January, Rubio estimates that over 300 visas have been revoked, many belonging to students. This move has sparked concerns among civil liberties advocates, who argue that scrutinizing individuals' online expressions may infringe upon free speech rights and lead to potential discrimination based on political views. The administration maintains that these measures are essential to safeguard national security interests.
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