Washington, DC (Agencies): U.S. President Donald Trump has signed a sweeping executive order that civil rights advocates warn could pave the way for a renewed travel ban targeting Muslim-majority countries and lead to crackdowns on pro-Palestine international students.
The executive order, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” directs federal agencies to compile a list of nations with “deficient vetting and screening processes” and consider suspending the admission of nationals from those countries. It also mandates an investigation into foreign nationals who entered the U.S. since 2021, with potential deportation for individuals deemed a threat based on their “actions and activities.”
Critics argue the order echoes Trump’s controversial 2017 travel ban, dubbed the “Muslim ban,” but with broader implications. “This is bigger and worse than the xenophobic travel ban of 2017,” said Deepa Alagesan, a lawyer at the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP). “It not only targets people outside the U.S. but also threatens to remove foreign nationals already living here legally.”
The directive includes language requiring that foreign citizens in the U.S. “do not bear hostile attitudes” toward American culture or government and do not support designated foreign terrorist organizations. Advocacy groups warn that the vague criteria could allow federal agencies to unjustly target immigrants and suppress political dissent.
“The order appears to be a veiled attempt to crack down on pro-Palestine activists and students under the guise of national security,” said Alagesan, adding that it may further harm immigrant families and communities.
Civil rights groups have decried the order, citing its potential to sow fear and division. “This decree is designed to tell immigrant communities and activists that they are not welcome, and the government will go to great lengths to exclude them,” Alagesan said.
The announcement has sparked protests from advocacy organizations, with critics calling on the Biden administration to challenge the order in court. Meanwhile, concerns over the order’s implementation are growing, as it grants broad authority to federal agencies to recommend actions against individuals perceived as threats.
The order is seen as a significant escalation of Trump’s hardline immigration policies, with experts warning of its potential impact on international students, immigrant families, and advocates for Palestinian rights.