The U.S. government has just taken a chilling step by announcing it will now monitor immigrants' social media for perceived “antisemitic activity”.

This is a loose and unclear standard that opens the door to discrimination, censorship, and abuse of power. This deeply invasive policy will affect immigrants applying for permanent residency and international students — many of whom already live in fear of being targeted for their political or religious views.

Let’s be clear: no one should face deportation or visa revocation based on a tweet or a post expressing criticism of a foreign government.

This policy doesn't protect Americans. It silences dissent, polices thought, and punishes immigrants for exercising their free speech rights.

This is a terrifying slippery slope. Today it's immigrants. Tomorrow it could be citizens, journalists, or anyone who dares to speak out. Surveillance like this has no place in a country that claims to value freedom.

We call on the Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services to immediately rescind this authoritarian policy. We demand that Congress and civil liberties organizations step in before more lives are upended by unjustified deportations, denials, and discrimination.