Trump Vows To Deport Students Over ‘Illegal protests’

Trump Threatens University Funding Over Campus Protests

Former President Donald Trump has pledged to cut federal funding for universities that allow what he calls “illegal” protests. His statement, made on Truth Social, also included threats to prosecute and deport foreign students participating in protests. However, Trump did not define what constitutes an “illegal” protest, raising concerns among legal experts and free speech advocates.

Free Speech Advocates Condemn Trump’s Proposal

The Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression (FIRE) quickly criticized Trump’s remarks, asserting that the president does not have unilateral authority to withhold federal funding from colleges that permit student demonstrations. The organization warned that such a move would suppress student activism, particularly regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) also responded by sending a letter to universities, urging them to protect campus speech. ACLU Legal Director Cecillia Wang condemned Trump’s actions, likening them to McCarthy-era tactics that seek to intimidate students and faculty into silence.

Government Agencies Review Columbia University’s Federal Funding

Amid these tensions, the U.S. Department of Education, General Services Administration, and Department of Health and Human Services announced a comprehensive review of Columbia University’s federal contracts. The review, part of an ongoing Title VI investigation, could impact over $5 billion in grants and contracts. Trump’s Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon, justified the scrutiny by citing concerns over antisemitic harassment and disruptions caused by student protests.

Crackdown on Foreign Students and Protesters

In January, Trump signed an executive order aimed at expelling foreign students involved in protests. The order directs federal agencies to develop measures allowing universities to monitor and report “alien students and staff” engaging in activism. The White House framed the order as a measure to protect law and order and curb antisemitic incidents on college campuses.

ACLU Defends Students’ Rights and Academic Freedom

The ACLU’s letter emphasized that universities are not obligated to enforce immigration laws or act against their students for exercising free speech. The organization outlined key principles, including protecting student privacy and upholding constitutional rights under the First and Fourteenth Amendments.

Esha Bhandari, deputy director of the ACLU’s Speech, Privacy, and Technology Project, reaffirmed that the federal government cannot legally expel students or revoke funding to punish constitutionally protected speech. While Title VI allows enforcement against discrimination, it does not justify restrictive speech policies aimed at silencing government-opposed viewpoints.

Ongoing Investigations and Future Implications

The debate over campus protests and federal intervention continues to escalate, with a federal task force now investigating incidents of antisemitism at several major universities. As legal and political battles unfold, the balance between campus free speech and federal oversight remains a critical issue in the national discourse.