Fri Mar 07 15:54:10 UTC 2025: ## US Launches AI-Powered Visa Revocation Program Targeting Pro-Hamas Individuals

**Washington D.C.** – The Trump administration has launched a controversial new initiative, dubbed “Catch and Revoke,” using artificial intelligence to identify and revoke the visas of foreign nationals suspected of supporting Hamas or other designated terrorist organizations. The program, spearheaded by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, has sparked concerns about free speech violations and potential misuse of technology.

The initiative focuses on reviewing the social media activity of tens of thousands of student visa holders, particularly those who may have expressed pro-Hamas sentiments or celebrated the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. The program also examines internal databases for individuals arrested but not previously deported. Collaboration between the State Department, Justice Department, and Homeland Security is underway to implement the program.

Officials claim the program is justified by the Immigration Nationality Act of 1952, which grants the Secretary of State the authority to revoke visas based on national security threats. The administration points to a lack of visa revocations under the previous administration as evidence of insufficient oversight.

However, critics, including Abed Ayoub, head of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, argue that “Catch and Revoke” infringes on free speech rights and echoes the controversial Operation Boulder of the Nixon era. Ayoub warns that the use of AI, which may be prone to errors, will exacerbate these concerns.

While State Department officials defend the program as a necessary security measure leveraging advancements in AI technology, the initiative has already impacted student visa holders, leading to self-censorship among those critical of Israeli policies. The administration’s hardline stance on Israel, while popular among certain segments of the electorate, has drawn criticism for potentially alienating voters and creating a climate of fear among foreign nationals. The long-term consequences of “Catch and Revoke” and its impact on US foreign policy remain to be seen.

Read More