Civil rights groups and legal scholars said the new measure would violate constitutional free speech rights and would likely draw legal challenges.

Critics say the directive won't actually stop antisemitism, but will target immigrants while cracking down on free speech.

President Donald Trump has signed an executive order promising “immediate action” from federal law enforcement against noncitizen college students and others in the United States who participated in pro-Palestinian demonstrations during Israel’s war in Gaza.

The executive order directs government agencies to use all available tools to prosecute or remove perpetrators of antisemitic harassment and violence, especially on college campuses.