The U.S has begun using AI to revoke visas of students it deems ‘Hamas sympathisers’—and it’s only beginning

The U.S. government is now using artificial intelligence to identify, track, and expel foreign students accused of supporting Hamas. The first known instance of this policy was carried out on Wednesday, when the State Department revoked a student’s visa for allegedly participating in “Hamas-supporting disruptions.”

The move is part of an escalating crackdown on pro-Palestinian activism on U.S. university campuses, with the State Department, Department of Justice, and Department of Homeland Security working together to monitor and penalise foreign students engaged in anti-Israel demonstrations. Officials are reportedly using AI to scan social media, news reports, and lawsuits to flag potential offenders.

According to Axios, the government’s AI-driven “Catch and Revoke” programme is reviewing tens of thousands of visa holders’ online activity. The system flags content deemed supportive of Hamas, leading to visa cancellations, deportations, and future entry bans. Fox News reported that the first student’s visa was revoked on Wednesday, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) is preparing to remove them from the country. The State Department has not disclosed the identity or specific actions of the student involved.

Although the agency declined to comment directly on the policy, Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed the government’s stance, stating that the U.S. has zero tolerance for foreign visitors who support terrorists. He warned that violators face immediate visa denial, revocation, and deportation.

This crackdown follows an executive order signed in January by Donald Trump, aimed at combatting antisemitism in U.S. universities. The former president and Republican frontrunner has repeatedly pledged to deport non-citizen students who engage in pro-Palestinian protests and cut federal funding for institutions that permit them.

The policy shift comes amid rising tensions over pro-Palestinian activism. On Wednesday, police arrested several student protesters at Barnard College in New York, where they reportedly distributed Hamas propaganda, including images of Hamas fighters and slain leader Yahya Sinwar. Officials claim the materials justified the October 7 attack on Israel.

While some argue that the AI-driven purge will effectively target radical extremists, critics warn that it could unfairly silence legitimate political expression. Many worry that foreign students will now face deportation for expressing pro-Palestinian views, regardless of whether they support terrorism. Some Jewish activists, who oppose Israeli government policies, fear they may also be caught in the dragnet.

Despite mounting concerns, reports indicate that more visa revocations are imminent as AI-powered surveillance continues. The Biden administration has yet to clarify how broadly the policy will be applied or what specific speech qualifies as support for Hamas.

For now, one thing is clear—foreign students in the U.S. are being watched, and the consequences are real.