Kenyans who want to study or live in the United States are now facing another challenge after the US government introduced a controversial new rule. This new policy, announced on Wednesday, April 9 by the US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), says that people applying for visas or permanent residence will be screened based on their social media activity.
If any of their online posts are found to contain antisemitic content, their visa or immigration request can be denied immediately. This includes those applying for student visas, green cards, or other forms of legal stay.
According to the Department of Homeland Security, this rule is already in effect. Tricia McLaughlin, the Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, made it clear that the US is not willing to welcome anyone who shows signs of extremist views.
She stated, “There is no room in the United States for the rest of the world’s extremist sympathisers, and we are under no obligation to admit them or let them stay here.”
This means that any person who has made negative or offensive remarks about Jewish people or the state of Israel on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), or Instagram could lose their chance to study, work, or live in the US.
This new regulation affects all countries, and Kenya is not excluded. It could have a major impact on young Kenyans, especially those who are planning to go to the US for higher education, job opportunities, or permanent residency.
The United States has always been one of the most attractive destinations for many Kenyans looking to better their lives through education or work, but the new policy could shut the door for many hopeful applicants.
The timing of the policy is also important. It comes as the war between Israel and Gaza continues to cause global tensions. The US says the policy is necessary to keep the country safe and stop extremists from entering. In recent years, there have been several violent incidents in the US that were blamed on people with radical views.
The government believes that by checking applicants’ social media, they can prevent such threats. Already, the Department of State has cancelled over 300 student visas for people who were found to support extremist groups or post antisemitic views online.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio referred to some of the individuals whose visas were revoked as “lunatics,” showing how seriously the administration is taking this issue.
For Kenyan students and immigrants, this new rule adds to an already difficult visa process. Even though Kenya has had close ties with the US, especially during the Trump administration, the current president is showing that he will push his agenda regardless of who gets affected in the process.
Just weeks ago, the US had announced plans to tighten the way they check visa applicants’ social media posts. Now, with this rule in place, it will be even harder for applicants to qualify if they have ever shared any content that could be considered offensive under the new guidelines.
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