By Gill Bikram Singh 
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio has announced a new “Catch and Revoke” initiative, using artificial intelligence (AI) to identify and revoke visas of foreign nationals suspected of supporting Hamas or other designated terrorist organizations, according to senior State Department officials who spoke with Axios.
This initiative significantly increases the US government’s monitoring of foreign nationals’ online activities and speech. It involves AI-driven reviews of tens of thousands of student visa holders’ social media accounts, focusing on content expressing alleged support for Hamas or other groups following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel. Officials will also cross-check internal databases for visa holders who were arrested but allowed to remain in the country during the Biden administration.
Additionally, the State Department will examine news coverage of anti-Israel demonstrations and legal actions by Jewish students, investigating claims that foreign nationals have engaged in anti-Semitic activities without facing consequences. The program is a collaborative effort involving the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security.
Since October 2023, federal officials have analyzed 100,000 individuals listed in the Student Exchange Visitor System to track visa revocations tied to arrests or suspensions. However, a senior official revealed that the Biden administration had not revoked any visas under these circumstances, stating, “We found literally zero visa revocations during the Biden administration,” implying a lack of enforcement.
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952, the Secretary of State has the authority to revoke visas of individuals deemed a threat to national security. Emphasizing this point, Rubio remarked, “We see people marching at our universities and in the streets… calling for Intifada, celebrating what Hamas has done… Those people need to go.”
Former President Donald Trump echoed similar views in a January 30 White House fact sheet, warning that resident aliens participating in “pro-jihadist” protests would be identified and deported. Another executive order issued on January 20 targets visa holders who “threaten our national security” or promote extremist ideologies.
Critics argue that these measures threaten free speech. Abed Ayoub, head of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, warned that the policy mirrors “Operation Boulder,” a Nixon-era program that surveilled pro-Palestinian groups in the 1970s and violated the rights of US citizens and foreign nationals. Ayoub expressed concerns about the use of AI, stating, “This should concern all Americans. This is a First Amendment and freedom of speech issue, and the administration will overplay its hand.”
A senior State Department official defended the initiative, arguing that failing to monitor publicly available information would be irresponsible. The official highlighted that AI provides the government with a powerful tool to identify and act against potential security threats.
If a foreign national’s social media post is found to support Hamas or endorse the October 7 attack, it could serve as grounds for visa revocation. The Trump administration’s strong pro-Israel position reflects its commitment to the Jewish state—a stance that resonates with its evangelical voter base.
Meanwhile, opposition to Israel’s military actions in Gaza has caused divisions within the Democratic Party. Some polls indicate that many voters do not clearly distinguish between supporting Hamas and supporting Palestinian rights. However, a White House adviser stated that while public opinion does not dictate policy, it is politically advantageous to align with Israel.