Trump signs order canceling student visas of 'Hamas sympathizers'
What's the story
US President Donald Trump has signed an executive order to combat antisemitism. The order will lead to the deportation of non-citizen college students and residents involved in pro-Palestinian protests. A White House official disclosed that the Justice Department will be directed to "aggressively prosecute terroristic threats, arson, vandalism and violence against American Jews." The executive order mandates government agencies to suggest actions against antisemitism within 60 days and demands the expulsion of resident aliens violating US laws.
Visa cancellation
Trump warns pro-jihadist protesters, plans visa cancellations
It also directs the Department of Justice to investigate pro-Hamas graffiti and intimidation, including incidences on college campuses. During his presidential campaign, Trump promised to deport "pro-Hamas" students on visas. On his first day in office, he signed an executive order stating that "the US must ensure that admitted aliens and aliens otherwise already present in the US do not bear hostile attitudes toward its citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles."
Migrant detention
Trump proposes detention of undocumented migrants at Guantanamo
On the same day he signed the order against antisemitism, Trump announced a plan to detain undocumented migrants at Guantanamo Bay. A new facility at the military base in Cuba is proposed to accommodate up to 30,000 undocumented migrants. Labeling these individuals as "criminal illegal aliens," Trump asserted this move would "double" US detention capacity. The current Guantanamo facility houses 15 detainees from previous conflicts.
Detention criticism
Defense Secretary assures separate housing, Cuba condemns plan
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth assured the migrants would be housed separately from existing detainees. However, the plan has been met with criticism, with Cuba denouncing it as an "act of brutality." Notably, Trump's announcement coincided with the signing of the bipartisan Laken Riley Act. The legislation mandates pre-trial detention for migrants charged with theft or violent crimes and is expected to increase detainee numbers in US custody.