The US government’s power to bar outsiders based on their beliefs remains intact despite efforts to roll back other forms of censorship. A recent court case in Boston is testing this authority, as the Trump administration’s visa policy is challenged by universities and advocacy groups. The issue centers on students who were involved in pro-Palestinian activism, facing denials of visas and potential deportation due to their views. Critics argue that this constitutes a form of censorship, violating the First Amendment right to free speech and expression. The Trump administration claims its actions are necessary to enforce national security and protect American interests.
In 2016, President Trump proposed “extreme vetting” as a new screening test for potential visa applicants, drawing on historical precedents from the Cold War era when ideological screenings were used to determine who could enter the country. This marks a significant development in the history of censorship and dissent in the US, highlighting the ongoing stakes in today’s debates over visas and free speech.
Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2025-09-26/how-the-visa-became-the-trump-administration-s-favorite-censorship-tool