Trump Signs Executive Order Linking Student Visas to Campus Protest Activity

In late January 2025, former U.S. President Donald Trump signed an executive order aimed at addressing what the administration describes as rising anti-Semitism on college campuses. The measure has drawn sharp debate for its impact on international students and the boundaries of political expression.

The Order and Its Scope
The directive instructs federal agencies to review the status of foreign students who participate in campus demonstrations deemed “anti-Israel.” Under existing immigration statutes, non-citizens can be deported if they are found to “endorse or espouse” designated terrorist groups. Hamas, listed as such by the U.S. since 1997, is cited in the order as a legal.