Washington, D.C. – Former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order on Wednesday aimed at non-citizen students in the U.S. who express support for Palestinian resistance group Hamas or participate in protests against Israel’s actions in Gaza.
The order directs the Justice Department to take “immediate action” to prosecute individuals engaged in what it describes as “terroristic threats, arson, vandalism, and violence against American Jews.” Trump’s statement included a warning to non-citizens involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations, saying, “To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice: come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you.”
Additionally, Trump vowed to revoke student visas of those he labeled as “Hamas sympathizers” on college campuses, arguing that universities had become “infested with radicalism like never before.”
The move comes amid ongoing protests across American universities, where thousands of students have demanded their institutions sever ties with companies supporting Israel. Law enforcement has cracked down on these demonstrations, leading to arrests and reports of physical assaults against protesters.
In response to public pressure, several universities have reconsidered or canceled partnerships with pro-Israel firms. However, Trump’s latest executive order signals a hardline stance against pro-Palestinian activism, a position that has drawn sharp criticism from civil rights groups who have vowed to challenge the policy in court.
This development adds to Trump’s record of stringent policies on immigration, LGBTQ+ rights, and activism, as he prepares for a potential return to the White House.
