In January 2025, former President Donald Trump signed an executive order allowing the deportation of international students who join protests seen as anti-Israel. The order cites immigration laws banning support for terrorist groups, specifically Hamas, which the U.S. designated as such in 1997.

The move has sparked controversy over free speech. Critics argue it “dangerously conflates political expression with material support for terrorism,” potentially criminalizing dissent on U.S. foreign policy. Civil liberties groups warn its vague language could silence students in academic spaces meant for open debate.

Opponents fear peaceful protesters could be targeted, saying the order risks “unconstitutional overreach” and may violate First Amendment protections.

Supporters see it as a tool to curb anti-Semitism on campuses. Alumni coalitions, including one from Columbia University, have even begun compiling lists of pro-Palestinian protesters to aid enforcement.

The order has fueled concerns about surveillance, retaliation, and a chilling effect on student activism. As one critic put it, the measure “blurs the line between political expression and support for terrorism,” intensifying debates over balancing national security with the right to free expression.