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Trump’s Order Sparks Fears of Muslim Ban Revival, Palestinian Rights Crackdown
Trump's new executive order sparks fears of targeting Muslim-majority nations, immigrants, and Palestinian rights advocates. Civil rights groups warn of exclusion and deportations.
ND
by News Desk
2025-01-25
Trump’s Order Sparks Fears of Muslim Ban Revival, Palestinian Rights Crackdown

A new executive order signed by President Donald Trump is sparking outrage among civil rights groups, who fear it may pave the way for a renewed Muslim-majority travel ban and a crackdown on international students supporting Palestinian rights.

The executive order, unveiled on Monday, directs US officials to identify nations with insufficient vetting procedures for foreign nationals, potentially leading to travel restrictions. But experts warn that it could go much further, targeting foreign nationals already in the US — including students advocating for Palestinian rights. Deepa Alagesan, a lawyer at the International Refugee Assistance Project (IRAP), called the new order "bigger and worse" than the 2017 Muslim ban, as it could lead to the deportation of people already living in the country.

New Directive to Identify High-Risk Nations The order instructs the US government to compile a list of countries with deficient vetting procedures and to track the entry and activities of their citizens in the US since President Joe Biden took office in 2021. The directive also orders immediate deportations if information arises that supports the exclusion or removal of foreign nationals.

Advocates argue that the vague language of the order gives US authorities broad powers to target individuals, especially those from Muslim-majority countries or those advocating for Palestinian rights. The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) called the decree "dangerous," warning that it could lead to ideological exclusion and further stigmatize entire communities.

Concerns About Targeting Palestinian Rights Advocates Critics have raised specific concerns about the order’s potential impact on Palestinian rights advocates, particularly international students involved in activism. Maryam Jamshidi, a professor at the University of Colorado, warned that the order could lead to increased scrutiny of students participating in Palestinian solidarity protests. In October 2023, GOP politicians such as Marco Rubio called for the deportation of international students who supported Palestinian rights, drawing controversial comparisons to the 9/11 attackers.

Dima Khalidi, from Palestine Legal, pointed out that the executive order seems aimed directly at Palestinian rights supporters. "The broad discretion given in immigration law under this order will allow the administration to target individuals based on their political views," she said. "This is about setting a standard for what is considered 'American' and 'patriotic.'"

Broader Implications for Immigrant Communities Beyond its potential impact on Palestinians, critics argue that the order threatens the core values of American immigration law. It directs officials to ensure the “proper assimilation” of immigrants and to promote a “unified American identity,” which opponents say could alienate entire communities.

The order’s broad language, which targets individuals who "bear hostile attitudes" toward American culture or government, could ultimately lead to more exclusions and deportations. While experts believe that the decree is unlikely to trigger mass deportations, they worry about its long-term effects on immigrant families and political dissent.

Conclusion Trump’s executive order is stirring fears that it could further entrench discriminatory immigration policies and undermine the rights of Palestinian solidarity groups. Civil rights organizations are urging the administration to reconsider its approach, warning that such measures threaten the freedoms and values America has long prided itself on.

 
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CivilRights

PalestinianRights

ImmigrationPolicy

MuslimBan
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