Trump Wants to Deport Foreign Students Supporting Hamas

In the wake of the October 7 Hamas attack on Israel, former President Donald Trump and senior GOP leaders have intensified calls for the Biden administration to revoke visas of foreign nationals in the U.S. who openly support Hamas or other designated terrorist organizations. Reports indicate that only four foreign students have faced consequences for participating in unauthorized campus protests, leading some GOP officials to claim that more students are involved but that the Biden administration is withholding information. Trump administration officials have expressed concerns that the current administration is not adequately monitoring foreign students' compliance with visa terms. Jon Feere, a former ICE adviser, emphasized the need for the U.S. to avoid sending the message that it tolerates violent speech and rioting. Meanwhile, Kenneth Marcus, a former Education Department official, suggested that a future Trump administration would likely target foreign students engaged in unlawful protests. The Biden administration has defended its record against these accusations, while civil rights groups and advocates for Palestinian rights prepare to confront potential deportation threats should Trump be re-elected. Legal experts note that prosecuting a visa holder for speech-related crimes would require substantial evidence linking them to terrorist organizations. The Council on American–Islamic Relations has stated that no attempts have been made to display Hamas flags at protests, highlighting the complexities surrounding free speech and legal risks for foreign students expressing support for designated terrorist groups.