The administration of U.S. President Donald Trump has decided to identify and deport foreign students who harbor hatred towards other religions and cultures and exhibit anti-Semitic sentiments. Trump has already signed an executive order regarding this matter.
During Israel’s military operation in Gaza, protests demanding a ceasefire and an independent Palestinian state took place for days across various U.S. universities. Many foreign students participated in these demonstrations alongside American students.
According to sources from the Trump administration, the government has decided to initially target those foreign students who were involved in these protests and gatherings.
Meanwhile, four U.S.-based Jewish organizations have welcomed Trump’s executive order. These organizations include Mothers Against College Antisemitism (MACA), the Chicago Jewish Alliance, Better, and the Shirion Collective Surveillance Network. The founder of MACA recently stated on Facebook, “Foreign students who come to this country on visas and harass our children should definitely be sent back to their home countries.”
On October 7, 2023, Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israeli territory, prompting the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to begin military operations in Gaza. After 15 months of intense military action, Israel finally declared a ceasefire on January 19, 2025.
During the Gaza operation, protests erupted in various U.S. university campuses, calling for an end to the military actions and demanding the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. Hundreds of students participated in these prolonged demonstrations, including both American and foreign students.
The Jewish organization Better, known for its hardline stance, has gone a step further. Its spokesperson, David Levy, stated that the organization has handed over a list of foreign students who participated in the protests to the Trump administration. However, he declined to share this list with Reuters but expressed satisfaction with the administration’s initiative.
Reuters reached out to the U.S. Department of Justice, Department of State, and Department of Homeland Security for further details, but none of the officials were willing to comment on the matter.