Washington, D.C. – [1/28/2025] – United Voices strongly condemns the recent White House executive order threatening to deport international students who participate in pro-Palestinian protests. This unconstitutional crackdown on free speech is a blatant attempt to silence criticism of Israel’s actions in Gaza and punish those who stand against genocide.

The U.S. Constitution guarantees the right to free speech and peaceful assembly—not just for American citizens, but for all individuals within the country, including international students. By weaponizing immigration laws against those exercising their First Amendment rights, this order sets a dangerous precedent that undermines the very freedoms that define American democracy.

Protests against injustice have long been part of American history, from the Civil Rights Movement to the fight against apartheid in South Africa. Today’s students—many of whom are Jewish, Muslim, Palestinian, and allies—are continuing that legacy by demanding an end to U.S. complicity in Israel’s war crimes. Instead of addressing real threats, this administration has chosen to shield a foreign government from criticism while ignoring the documented rise in anti-Palestinian and anti-Muslim violence on college campuses.

United Voices rejects this authoritarian overreach and calls for the immediate rescission of this order. The right to dissent is fundamental, and no government should have the power to strip individuals of their status or livelihoods for speaking out against injustice.

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