In late January 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at combating anti-Semitism, with major consequences for foreign students and pro-Palestinian protests. The order allows deportation of international students who join demonstrations labeled anti-Israel, part of a broader push against what the administration sees as support for groups like Hamas.

The directive instructs federal agencies to identify non-citizen students involved in such protests and possibly revoke their visas. Officials say current immigration law already permits removal of individuals who “endorse or espouse” terrorist organizations, noting that Hamas has been designated a U.S. foreign terrorist organization since 1997.

Supporters argue the order strengthens national security and responds to rising concerns about anti-Semitic speech on college campuses. They say some protests have crossed from political criticism into hate speech against Jewish communities.

Critics counter that the policy threatens free expression and unfairly targets international students. Civil rights groups warn it could discourage campus activism and silence lawful political views. University leaders are also seeking clarity on how “anti-Israel” protests will be defined and enforced, fearing conflicts with federal authorities.

Immigration lawyers question how the policy can be applied in practice, especially given the vague standard for proving “endorsement” of terrorism. Despite this, student groups say they will continue advocating for Palestinian rights while avoiding rhetoric that could be seen as hate speech, as debates over security, immigration, and civil liberties continue.