Facial Recognition Technology Targets International Student Protesters

Immigration Articles, Uncategorized, 24 min read

A Deep Dive into Surveillance, Deportation, and Civil Liberties

Facial recognition technology has rapidly advanced in recent years—used everywhere from airports to smartphones. While it offers convenience and security, it also presents serious risks when abused by governments to suppress dissent.

In the wake of escalating tensions surrounding the Gaza conflict, private groups in the United States have begun utilizing facial recognition technology to identify student protesters, particularly those supporting Palestinian causes. These efforts aim to report identified individuals to immigration authorities, potentially leading to deportation and other potential consequences.

The 2019 pro-democracy protests in Hong Kong are a powerful example of how facial recognition can be turned against people fighting for freedom.

This practice has sparked widespread concern regarding privacy rights, the role of private entities in surveillance, and the potential infringement on civil liberties.

This article explores how surveillance was used to target international student protesters, the creative countermeasures activists deployed, and why this case matters globally in the age of digital surveillance.

Overview

The Mechanics of Surveillance

Facial Recognition Deployment: Private organizations have employed facial recognition software to scan images and videos from campus protests. This technology can identify individuals even when they attempt to conceal their identities with masks or headscarves.
Data Collection and Analysis: Images are often sourced from social media, news outlets, and surveillance footage. Advanced algorithms analyze facial features to match protesters with publicly available personal information.
Public Exposure: Once identified, personal details such as names, employers, and affiliations are disseminated online, a practice known as doxing. This exposure can lead to job loss, harassment, and legal consequences.

Key Players and Their Roles

Private Groups Are Using Facial Recognition to Identify Protesters

Several pro-Israel organizations have begun leveraging advanced technology to track student protesters.

Betar US: A right-wing Zionist organization, Betar US has been at the forefront of identifying and reporting pro-Palestinian student protesters. The group claims to have compiled lists of individuals for submission to the Trump administration, advocating for their deportation.
Meet the Developer: Eliyahu Hawila, a Brooklyn-based software engineer, created a facial recognition tool designed specifically to uncover identities of masked protesters. He has been in discussions to license the technology to other pro-Israel groups. His tool, called NesherAI, is named after the Hebrew word for eagle.
Government Involvement: The Trump administration has expressed support for these initiatives, with officials indicating plans to revoke visas of foreign students participating in what they term “pro-jihadist” protests.
Legal Concerns Over Private Use of Surveillance Tech: Attorney Sejal Zota, who represents California activists suing facial recognition firm ClearviewAI, warned that private groups stepping into the realm of surveillance — traditionally the role of government — is troubling:

“We’re used to thinking about law enforcement surveilling dissent. Now private actors are becoming part of that system.” Related Resource:ClearviewAI lawsuit coverage – NBC News

Groups Urge Followers to Report Foreign Student Protesters

The targeting isn’t just technological. It’s also crowdsourced.

Social Media Campaigns:

Some groups, like Mothers Against Campus Antisemitism, have publicly called for their members to file complaints against international students. In a viral Facebook post from January 21, President E

lizabeth Rand encouraged her 60,000 followers to use the ICE tip line to report students and faculty suspected of supporting Hamas.

Tip Submissions to Federal Agencies:

While the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has stated it is not officially coordinating with these groups, immigration attorneys say that tips from outside actors can still influence enforcement.

Impact on International Students

Legal Jeopardy: International students involved in protests face the risk of visa revocation and deportation, even in the absence of criminal charges.
Psychological Toll: The threat of surveillance and potential deportation has led to increased anxiety among students, with some altering their behavior, avoiding protests, or deleting social media accounts to evade detection. The use of facial recognition technology to identify and report student protesters is a very concerning practice.
Case Study – Mahmoud Khalil: A Palestinian graduate student at Columbia University, Khalil was arrested by ICE after being identified through these surveillance efforts. His detention has become a focal point in the debate over the ethics of such practices.

Legal and Ethical Concerns

Privacy Violations: The use of facial recognition by private entities raises significant questions about the right to privacy and the potential for misuse of personal data.
Freedom of Expression: Critics argue that these surveillance tactics infringe upon First Amendment rights, deterring individuals from participating in lawful protests.
Potential for Misidentification: Facial recognition technology is not infallible; errors in identification can lead to unwarranted consequences for innocent individuals.

Widespread Fear Among International Students

The effect on foreign students has been immediate and chilling.

Case of Mahmoud Khalil:

The March 8 arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student of Palestinian descent at Columbia University, marked a turning point. Khalil was vocal in organizing protests and was reportedly on a list submitted to federal officials. His arrest has become a symbol of rising fear among international student protesters.

Visa Risks:

While U.S. law protects free speech, being on a student visa means engaging in certain protest actions—especially anything construed as violent or unlawful—can carry serious immigration consequences.

Self-Censorship and Isolation:

Many international students are deleting social media accounts, avoiding campus protests, and distancing themselves from activist groups. Some are even moving off-campus out of fear of surprise visits by immigration officers.

What Activities Might Jeopardize a Student Visa?

Pro-Israel advocates say their efforts are aimed at students who:

Occupy campus buildings
Engage in violence or harassment
Incite violence or chant slogans they consider to be hate speech

Eliyahu Hawila defended the effort, stating: “If you’re here on a visa and you’re inciting unrest or calling for death — why are you in this country?” However, Arab-American advocacy organizations warn of false identifications and misuse: “The risk of mistaken identity is real,” said Abed Ayoub of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee. “We’re seeing surveillance of legal protesters and innocent students. This is surveillance by proxy.”

The Rise of Political Doxing

The Gaza war has fueled a new wave of digital retaliation tactics.

What Is Doxing?Doxing is the act of publishing private information about someone online to harass or threaten them. While doxing has been around for years, it now includes facial recognition matches, employer contacts, and email blasts calling for job termination or deportation. Additionally, recorded video by Israeli soldiers on the battlefield is often used in doxing campaigns, exposing personal information to harass individuals.
Private Surveillance Expands: In this context, doxing becomes more powerful and dangerous when combined with facial recognition and government reporting.

What Does the Trump Administration Say?

Former President Trump, now returned to office, signed an executive order in early 2025 calling for the deportation of foreign students involved in “pro-jihadist” activity. The administration has:

Not clearly defined what counts as “pro-jihadist”
Not revealed how reports from outside groups are processed
Raised concerns about whether names of identified protesters, targeted by pro-Israel groups using facial-recognition technology, have reached top government officials, especially following the directive from former President Trump

In response to questions, DHS stated only that it is not “working with” Betar or receiving official tips from them—but didn’t deny acting on information provided indirectly.

A Climate of Surveillance and Intimidation

Fear Spreads on Campuses: From Columbia University to George Washington to the University of Pittsburgh, students are removing their names from club rosters, hiding online posts, and stepping back from activism altogether. This climate of surveillance and intimidation affects not only the individuals involved but also other students, creating a widespread atmosphere of anxiety and caution.
Legal Experts Urge Caution: Immigration lawyers recommend that international students avoid any protest activity that could be construed as illegal or extreme—even if they’re exercising their First Amendment rights.

Responses and Countermeasures

Civil Rights Advocacy: Organizations like the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee have condemned these practices and are exploring legal avenues to protect affected students. Abed Ayoub, the national executive director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee, has raised concerns about the use of facial recognition technology to identify and report student protesters to immigration authorities, highlighting the anxiety it causes among foreign students regarding their legal status.
University Policies: Some academic institutions are reviewing their policies to safeguard student privacy and ensure that participation in protests does not lead to academic or legal repercussions.
Legislative Action: Lawmakers are being urged to consider regulations that limit the use of facial recognition technology and protect individuals from unwarranted surveillance.

Facial Recognition and Resistance: Lessons from the Hong Kong Protests

How Facial Recognition Was Used to Crush Dissent

In 2019 and beyond, authorities in Hong Kong deployed facial recognition systems, connected to a growing network of surveillance cameras, to monitor, identify, and track protesters in real time.

State Surveillance in Action:
Footage from street cameras, drones, and public infrastructure was analyzed to match protesters’ faces with government databases. Those identified risked arrest, being blacklisted from schools and jobs, or facing long-term police monitoring.
Rapid Law Enforcement Response:
With real-time analytics, officers could quickly locate and arrest individuals based on facial scans, creating an environment of fear and deterring others from joining protests.
Link to Mainland China’s Surveillance Model:
Protesters feared that Hong Kong’s surveillance would eventually mirror mainland China’s mass surveillance system—already notorious for its AI-driven tracking of activists, dissidents, and ethnic minorities.

“If you were seen, you could be punished—not just now, but years later.”

Protesters Fight Back: How They Protected Their Identities

Hongkongers did not sit back. Instead, they developed a toolkit of resistance strategies to outsmart surveillance systems.

1. Face Coverings and Laser Pointers

Protesters wore masks, goggles, helmets, and scarves to obscure their facial features.
Laser pointers were aimed at surveillance cameras to distort footage and interrupt scanning algorithms.
After a government ban on masks in October 2019, protesters faced arrest simply for wearing protective gear—a tactic designed to discourage anonymity and participation.

2. Dismantling “Smart” Lampposts

So-called “smart lampposts”, equipped with sensors and cameras, became targets.
Protesters in Kowloon physically tore down these poles, suspecting they were used for facial recognition and data collection.
This bold move symbolized defiance and growing mistrust of tech-enabled surveillance.

3. Umbrellas and Improvised Shields

Reviving imagery from the 2014 Umbrella Movement, protesters used umbrellas to block cameras and shield their identities during clashes.
Everyday items—foil blankets, reflective panels, aluminum sheets—were turned into tools to interfere with thermal cameras and body scanners.

“Every umbrella wasn’t just a shield—it was a symbol of resistance.”

Why This Matters Globally: The Broader Threat of Surveillance

The Hong Kong protests were not just a local event—they represent a global warning about the unchecked rise of surveillance technologies. We are now seeing this play out in the U.S.

Erosion of Privacy Rights

Constant monitoring threatens individual privacy.
Mass surveillance normalizes being watched, silences dissent, and forces people to self-censor—even in democracies.

Suppression of Free Speech and Assembly

Fear of being identified discouraged many from joining protests or even discussing them online.
Social media posts and digital activism became risky, as facial recognition was increasingly combined with online surveillance.

Exporting Authoritarian Technology

China has exported surveillance tech to dozens of countries, including:
- Venezuela
- Zimbabwe
- Serbia
- Ecuador

“Surveillance tools once confined to authoritarian regimes are now spreading globally—often with no oversight or accountability.”

Commercialization and Lack of Regulation

Many of the most powerful facial recognition tools are created by private companies.
Firms like Clearview AI sell facial data without public consent, often scraping photos from social media.
Without international laws, these tools are often used in secret, with no transparency. This has led to concerns about ‘outsourcing surveillance’, where private groups use these technologies to monitor and report on activities such as student protests.

Calls for Change: What Needs to Be Done

The Hong Kong experience has inspired international advocates to push for stronger protections.

Key Recommendations for Ethical Use of Facial Recognition:

Transparency: Agencies must disclose how data is gathered, stored, and used.
Consent: People should have the option to opt-out of facial scanning wherever possible.
Independent Oversight: Regular audits and third-party watchdogs are essential.
Legal Limits: Clear laws should define when and how surveillance can occur—and ban misuse.

Visual Summary: Resistance Tools vs. Surveillance Tactics

Protester Strategy	Surveillance Tool Targeted
Masks, goggles, scarves	Facial recognition cameras
Laser pointers	CCTV and drone surveillance
Foil blankets, reflectors	Thermal imaging / body scanning
Umbrellas	Line-of-sight video surveillance
Dismantling lampposts	Smart infrastructure sensors

A Global Wake-Up Call

The Hong Kong protests revealed a new kind of battlefield—where the fight for human rights is also a fight against digital surveillance.

Facial recognition may offer convenience and safety, but when turned against citizens, it becomes a tool of repression.
The resilience of Hong Kong’s protesters reminds us that democracy and freedom require vigilance, courage, and innovation.
Around the world, people must now decide: Will we allow technology to undermine civil liberties—or demand transparency and accountability?

“The right to protest should not require hiding your face. But in a world of mass surveillance, it just might.”

States Are Reviving Anti-Mask Laws to Target Pro-Palestinian Protesters

Mask Bans Were Created for a Different Era — But They’re Being Used Again

Many U.S. states passed anti-mask laws decades ago—not to protect civil rights, but to preserve racial and political hierarchies. These laws were originally aimed at the Ku Klux Klan in the 1940s and 50s, but not necessarily to stop Klan violence. Instead, some Southern politicians wanted to protect segregation while distancing themselves from the Klan’s image.

Now, these outdated laws are being dusted off and used to target a new group: pro-Palestinian student protesters who wear masks during peaceful demonstrations about the war in Gaza.

Where Is This Happening?

States and universities across the U.S. are increasingly citing anti-mask laws to crack down on campus protests:

Ohio:
Attorney General Dave Yost sent a letter to all 14 public universities warning that wearing a mask while protesting could result in felony charges. This old law, largely forgotten for decades, carries up to 18 months in prison.

“This isn’t a public service announcement. It’s targeted intimidation,” said Ohio legal expert Rob Barnhart.

North Carolina:
The University of North Carolina (UNC) warned students that wearing masks violates both state law and university policy.
Florida & Texas:
In Gainesville, University of Florida protesters were arrested for wearing masks. In Austin, Governor Greg Abbott deployed state troopers to break up rallies at UT Austin, citing mask-wearing as part of the justification.

Why Are Protesters Wearing Masks?

Protesters wear masks for many legitimate reasons:

To protect their identity from doxing or retaliation
To express political or religious beliefs
As a public health precaution, especially in crowded gatherings
To defend against surveillance technologies like facial recognition

In today’s world of widespread surveillance—by both governments and private actors—mask-wearing has become a critical tool for protecting free expression.

The Surveillance Threat Is Real

Technologies used to identify masked protesters include:

Facial Recognition (Clearview AI, Google tools)
Bluetooth & Wi-Fi Tracking
Cell phone data analysis
IMSI Catchers that mimic cell towers to collect phone identity info
Gait Recognition and body shape analysis from video footage

Even during COVID-19, facial recognition systems improved significantly to recognize people wearing partial face coverings.

“Our faces are becoming like license plates—permanently exposed and trackable,” says the ACLU.
“Anti-mask laws effectively force people to display those plates at all times in public.”

Doxing and Blacklisting Are Fueling Fear

Pro-Palestinian protesters face real risks if their identities are exposed:

Public shaming by opposition groups
Employers firing staff over their political views
University donors or CEOs demanding protester identities
Viral videos of protesters being forced to remove masks
Online doxing campaigns that post personal information to intimidate

Pro-Israel activists have circulated photos of masked students online, often linking them to employers in an attempt to get them disciplined or fired.

Mask-Wearing as a Civil Liberty

The ACLU argues that mask-wearing is protected by the Constitution in many contexts, especially where speech, protest, or religious practice is involved.

Anti-mask laws have historically been used against social justice movements:
- Occupy Wall Street
- Anti-racism protests
- Police violence demonstrations
During COVID-19, mask-wearing became both a health and political statement. Now, some states want to roll back even public health exceptions for mask usage at protests.

Example: A bill in North Carolina would eliminate the health-related mask exception and add tougher penalties for anyone committing a crime while masked.

Selective Enforcement Is a Key Problem

Anti-mask laws are being selectively enforced:

Rarely applied to sports fans, Halloween celebrants, or bank robbers
Mostly applied to protesters associated with marginalized causes
Creates confusion and fear among peaceful demonstrators

This leads to discretionary policing, where law enforcement chooses who to arrest based on the message being expressed—not the actions being taken.

The Chilling Effect on Protest

Anti-mask laws are having a chilling effect on protest participation:

Some students now stay home, fearing arrest, doxing, or job loss.
Others avoid organizing or attending rallies altogether.
Protesting now requires a level of personal bravery that shouldn’t be necessary in a democracy.

“Americans shouldn’t have to be brave to speak out,” says the ACLU.
“Until our privacy laws catch up with surveillance technology, governments should stop using mask laws to silence peaceful protest.”

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) regarding the use of facial recognition software to target international student protesters in the U.S.

What is facial recognition software and how does it work?

Facial recognition software is a type of artificial intelligence (AI) that analyzes facial features to identify or verify a person’s identity. It compares live or recorded images to databases of known faces, often using biometric data points such as the distance between the eyes, shape of the jawline, or skin texture patterns.

Is facial recognition technology being used against student protesters in the U.S.?

Yes. In 2024–2025, multiple reports confirmed that private groups and individuals used facial recognition tools to identify student protesters, particularly those involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations. Some of this information has been submitted to immigration authorities in an attempt to pressure the government to revoke student visas.

Who is using facial recognition to target international students?

Private actors—including pro-Israel advocacy organizations, tech developers, and political groups—have used facial recognition software like NesherAI to identify masked protesters. There is also growing concern that some information may be reaching or influencing law enforcement or immigration agencies, even if indirectly.

Is it legal for private individuals or organizations to use facial recognition this way?

U.S. law does not currently prohibit private individuals or organizations from using publicly available images and applying facial recognition technology to them. However, doing so to harass, dox, or report someone to authorities may raise serious civil, ethical, or constitutional concerns, particularly if it results in government action without due process.

Can international students be deported based on being identified in a protest photo or video?

Potentially, yes. If immigration authorities determine that an international student has violated the terms of their visa (e.g., by being arrested, inciting violence, or breaking school policy), this could lead to visa revocation or removal proceedings. Simply attending a protest is not grounds for deportation—but being identified may increase scrutiny.

What laws protect international students from being targeted by surveillance technology?

International students are protected by the First Amendment when engaging in lawful protest and by Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights when it comes to due process and unlawful searches or seizures. However, these protections can be limited or more difficult to assert due to their non-citizen status.

How accurate is facial recognition software?

Facial recognition accuracy varies widely. Studies have shown that error rates are significantly higher for people of color, women, and individuals wearing masks or head coverings. Inaccurate matches can result in mistaken identity and unwarranted consequences, especially when used without oversight.

Can wearing a mask or headscarf protect against facial recognition?

Partially. Facial recognition systems typically require clear views of the nose, eyes, and cheekbones. Masks, hats, scarves, and sunglasses can interfere with identification—but advancements in AI now allow some systems to match even partially obscured faces with increasing accuracy. Some software can also cross-reference body movement, gait, or other biometric data.

What are the risks for international students if they are doxed after being identified through facial recognition?

Doxing—publicizing private or identifying information online—can lead to:

Online harassment or threats
Academic disciplinary action
Job termination or blacklisting
Increased immigration enforcement
Psychological harm and social isolation

These risks are heightened when personal information is circulated with calls for deportation or retaliation.

Can universities or colleges legally share footage of student protests with external actors?

Generally, universities are bound by the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), which protects student education records. However, images or videos taken in public spaces may not be covered, especially if captured by campus surveillance or third parties. Universities may also be pressured or compelled by law enforcement to share footage.

Are international students more vulnerable than U.S. citizens to being targeted by surveillance?

Yes. International students do not enjoy the same immigration protections as citizens or permanent residents. A visa can be revoked administratively, without a trial, if authorities determine a violation has occurred. This makes them particularly vulnerable to surveillance-led targeting or political retaliation.

Can students sue if they are wrongly identified and targeted by facial recognition?

Possibly. Students who suffer harm from false identification, doxing, or retaliatory actions may have legal grounds to sue for defamation, invasion of privacy, or civil rights violations. However, lawsuits against private individuals or software developers are complex and may require substantial evidence of harm.

What steps can international students take to protect themselves at protests?

Avoid facial recognition by wearing non-distinct clothing, masks, and sunglasses
Turn off or leave phones behind to prevent location tracking
Use encrypted messaging apps like Signal
Avoid posting protest photos online
Stay in groups and monitor surroundings
Know your rights (see ACLU’s Protester Rights guide)

Can immigration status be affected by simply attending a protest?

Lawfully attending a protest does not violate visa status. However, if students are arrested, charged, or seen as violating university conduct rules, that could jeopardize their SEVIS status and lead to consequences from ICE or the State Department.

Are government agencies like ICE using facial recognition to track students?

ICE and DHS have access to various surveillance tools, including facial recognition databases. While there is no confirmed evidence of ICE directly using privately submitted protest footage, internal tips or data passed indirectly from private actors may influence enforcement decisions.

Are there any laws being proposed to regulate facial recognition in the U.S.?

Yes. Multiple bills at the federal and state levels aim to:

Ban the use of facial recognition by law enforcement (e.g., the Facial Recognition and Biometric Technology Moratorium Act)
Require consent and transparency for biometric data collection
Impose data retention limits and create accountability mechanisms

However, there is no national consensus yet, and regulation varies by state.

Is it legal to film or photograph protesters in public spaces in the U.S.?

Yes. Public protests are generally considered public events. Anyone, including private individuals, journalists, and authorities, may photograph or record what occurs in public view. The issue arises when such footage is used for intimidation, harassment, or political targeting.

What role do tech companies play in enabling this surveillance?

Tech companies often provide the tools—such as facial recognition APIs, cloud computing, and camera infrastructure—that make surveillance possible. In some cases, companies like Clearview AI have scraped billions of images from social media without consent and sold access to law enforcement and private clients.

Can I request to be removed from a facial recognition database?

In some jurisdictions, yes. California, Illinois, and a few other states have biometric privacy laws that allow individuals to opt out of private biometric databases. However, this does not apply to federal surveillance or to all states.

What are human rights organizations saying about this issue?

Groups like the ACLU, Human Rights Watch, and Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) have condemned the use of facial recognition against peaceful protesters, particularly when used to suppress political speech or target marginalized groups. They are calling for moratoriums or outright bans on its use by government agencies.

What can universities do to protect international student protesters?

Refuse to cooperate with politically motivated surveillance or reporting
Refrain from sharing footage with non-campus actors without legal cause
Educate students on digital and protest safety
Defend student rights to protest without retaliation
Offer legal support or referrals when students face immigration threats

Conclusion: Civil Liberties vs. Surveillance in the Digital Age

The current wave of activism around Gaza is colliding with a dangerous mix of technology, politics, and immigration enforcement. For foreign students in the U.S., speaking out carries new risks:

Being misidentified through facial recognition
Getting doxed and reported to ICE
Facing the possibility of visa revocation or deportation

As these efforts intensify, the need for clear legal guidance, university protections, and public transparency becomes more urgent.

Take Action Now: Protect Your Future with an Expert Legal Ally

If you’re an international student on an F-1 or J-1 visa who has attended protests, expressed political views, or is worried about surveillance technologies like facial recognition, AI-based tracking, or online doxing, now is the time to act.

You don’t have to face these threats alone.

The intersection of immigration status, digital surveillance, and free speech is complex—and rapidly evolving. Even peaceful protest or a single photo online can put your visa status, educational future, and career in jeopardy. That’s why it’s critical to speak with an immigration attorney who understands not only the law, but the real-world impact of modern surveillance on international students.

Why You Should Schedule a Consultation with Attorney Richard Herman

Richard Herman and the Herman Legal Group have earned a national reputation for passionately defending immigrants in the most complex and sensitive legal situations. With decades of experience and a commitment to protecting civil liberties, the team stands ready to help international students safeguard their rights and futures.

Here’s why international students trust the Herman Legal Group:

Over 30 years of immigration law experience helping clients from over 100 countries navigate the U.S. legal system
Specialized expertise in complex student visa issues, SEVIS terminations, visa revocations, and politically motivated enforcement
Deep understanding of emerging surveillance threats, including facial recognition, AI-driven monitoring, and digital activism risks
Proven record of success in challenging removal proceedings, visa denials, and unlawful targeting
Multilingual team that understands your culture and speaks your language
Compassionate, personalized legal support tailored to your unique background, goals, and vulnerabilities

Don’t Wait Until It’s Too Late

Whether you’ve received a warning, been contacted by ICE, fear being reported, or just want to know your rights—an early legal consultation can make all the difference. Time is critical when it comes to protecting your immigration status and avoiding irreversible consequences.

Your voice matters. Your future is worth defending.

Schedule a confidential consultation with Richard Herman today and get the legal guidance you need in this new era of surveillance, technology, and targeted enforcement.

👉 Visit Herman Legal Group
👉 Call for a consultation: 1-800-808-4013
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