President Donald Trump signed an executive order Wednesday promising "immediate action" from the Department of Justice to deport foreign national college students and resident aliens who took part in pro-Hamas protests after the terrorist group massacred 1, Israelis and took more than hostage.
A document describing the proposed order explained the DOJ was instructed to prosecute "terrorist threats, arson, vandalism and violence against American Jews" and to use resources to combat the "'explosion of antisemitism on our campuses and streets" since October 7, Reuters reports. Trump signed the order later Wednesday fulfilling a campaign promise to fight antisemitism. Jewish students have faced an unrelenting barrage of discrimination; denial of access to campus common areas and facilities, including libraries and classrooms; and intimidation, harassment, and physical threats and assault," Trump wrote.
The order outlines that all federal agencies, including the Department of Education, have 60 days to submit reports compiling all pending administrative complaints against institutions of higher education alleging civil-rights violations "related to or arising from post-October 7, , campus anti-Semitism.
It also says that these institutions can "monitor for and report activities by alien students and staff relevant to those grounds" and if necessary investigate activity, and even "remove such aliens. Critics contend the measure would violate constitutional free speech rights and will likely face legal challenges.
Shai Davidai is an assistant professor at Columbia University and Israeli. He told CBN News he has been barred from the school for the last three months for speaking out against the protests and believes Trump's order is necessary. Pro-Hamas protests paralyzed campuses across the country resulting in damaged buildings, destroyed common areas, and dozens of arrests.
