In a controversial move to combat anti-Semitism, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order in January 2025 allowing the deportation of international students involved in pro-Palestinian protests deemed supportive of terrorist groups like Hamas.
The order directs federal agencies to identify and potentially revoke visas of non-citizen students participating in such demonstrations. It relies on existing immigration laws that permit the removal of individuals who “endorse or espouse” designated terrorist organizations, including Hamas, which has been classified as such by the U.S. since 1997.
The directive is part of a broader effort by Trump’s administration to curb campus activism viewed as hostile to Israel. The move has sparked strong debate over free speech, civil liberties, and the limits of protest in academic settings.
