The State Department launches an AI-powered “Catch and Revoke” program to strip visas from foreign nationals supporting Hamas, marking a stark shift in how America handles terrorist sympathizers on its soil.
Key Takeaways
- The “Catch and Revoke” AI initiative will scan social media and public forums to identify foreign nationals expressing support for terrorist organizations.
- Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized “zero tolerance” for foreign visitors supporting terrorists, with violators facing visa revocation and deportation.
- The program follows President Trump’s declaration to cut federal funding for institutions allowing “illegal protests” and to deport foreign agitators.
- The initiative is part of a broader government approach involving partnerships with Homeland Security and the Justice Department.
- Critics have raised free speech concerns, but officials argue ignoring publicly available information on visa holders would be negligent.
Artificial Intelligence Deployed to Enforce National Security
The State Department is implementing a technologically advanced initiative dubbed “Catch and Revoke” to identify and remove foreign nationals in the United States who demonstrate support for Hamas or other terrorist organizations. This AI-powered program will systematically review social media posts, news articles, and other public forums for evidence of terrorist sympathies or anti-semitic activities among non-citizens currently residing in America. The technology represents a significant advancement in how the federal government monitors potential security threats within U.S. borders, utilizing data analysis capabilities that weren’t previously deployed at this scale.
Under the direction of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the program will cross-reference government databases to ensure no visa holders who have been arrested at protests or identified as security threats remain in the country. The initiative marks a clear departure from policies during the previous administration, with reports indicating no visa revocations for terrorist sympathizers occurred during that period. Officials confirmed the program will focus particularly on individuals who have expressed support for Hamas following the October 7th attacks on Israel.
Zero Tolerance Policy for Terrorist Supporters
Secretary Rubio has made the administration’s position unequivocal regarding foreign nationals who express support for terrorist organizations. The Immigration Nationality Act of 1952 grants the Secretary of State broad powers to revoke visas from individuals deemed to pose a threat to national security. This legal foundation provides the authority for the “Catch and Revoke” program, which will use sophisticated algorithms to detect patterns of terrorist support that might otherwise go unnoticed through traditional monitoring methods.
“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 initiative follows President Trump’s recent declaration to cut federal funding for educational institutions that permit what he termed “illegal protests” on their campuses. The President has taken a firm stance on demonstrations that turn disruptive or violent, particularly those expressing anti-American or pro-terrorist sentiments. This coordinated approach demonstrates the administration’s commitment to address both the presence of terrorist sympathizers in America and the environments that might enable their activities.
Balancing Security and Civil Liberties
While the “Catch and Revoke” initiative has received strong support from Republicans in Congress, critics have raised concerns about potential free speech implications. The State Department has countered these concerns by emphasizing that visa holders are not U.S. citizens and do not possess the same constitutional protections. Officials further argue that ignoring publicly available information about visa applicants or holders who express support for terrorist organizations would constitute negligence in fulfilling their security mandate.
“We have a president who has a moral clarity about what freedom in America is all about. Dissent, demonstrations, etc on campuses are to be encouraged for freedom of speech, but not … [when it] that takes away freedom and liberty for a certain set of students and teachers.” – House Education Committee Chairman Tim Walberg (R-Mich.)
The initiative is part of a comprehensive government approach to combat anti-semitism and terrorist support, involving active collaboration with the Department of Homeland Security and the Justice Department. These partnerships will facilitate information sharing and coordinated enforcement actions, ensuring that individuals identified through the “Catch and Revoke” program face appropriate consequences, including immediate deportation in cases where national security is at risk.
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
