Private organizations are using facial recognition technology to identify and report international students participating in pro-Palestinian protests across New York universities, raising concerns about surveillance and immigration status.

A facial recognition tool called NesherAI, developed by Brooklyn-based Stellar Technologies, has been used to unmask protesters wearing face coverings at campus demonstrations. The company's founder, Eliyahu Hawila, confirms sharing identified protesters' information with pro-Israel groups [1].

The Department of Homeland Security stated it is not officially working with these private groups, though Secretary of State Marco Rubio declined to explain how student names are reaching his office for visa revocation reviews [1,4].

Recent developments include:

The March 8 arrest of Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, whose name appeared on a list submitted by right-wing group BetarThe detention of a Turkish student from Tufts University near Boston this weekTrump administration officials indicating more international student arrests are forthcoming

The practice has created a chilling effect among international students. A Columbia graduate student from South Asia reported canceling travel plans and closing social media accounts out of fear [1]. Student organizations at George Washington University and University of Pittsburgh note members requesting removal from membership lists to avoid scrutiny.

Civil rights advocates express concern about private groups conducting surveillance traditionally reserved for law enforcement. "It's a very concerning practice. We don't know who these individuals are or what they're doing with this information," said Abed Ayoub, director of the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee [1].