Trump Threatens Visa Revocations for Pro-Hamas Students, Bans Critical Race Theory and Gender Ideology

Washington: President Donald Trump has issued executive orders directing U.S. schools to cease teaching what he views as “critical race theory” and other materials related to race and sexuality, threatening schools with the loss of federal funding if they do not comply. A separate plan announced on Wednesday also calls for aggressive action to combat antisemitism on college campuses, promising prosecution of offenders and the revocation of visas for international students found to be “Hamas sympathizers.”

Both initiatives were outlined in executive orders signed by Trump on Wednesday. The measures reflect key components of his campaign promises regarding education, though it remains unclear how much authority he has to implement these proposals.

Executive Orders Target Race and Gender Education in Schools

Trump‘s order regarding K-12 schools mandates that federal funds cannot be used for what he calls the “indoctrination” of children, including the teaching of “radical gender ideology and critical race theory.” The order cites civil rights laws that prohibit discrimination based on sex and race to enforce the measure, labeling critical race theory as an “inherently racist policy.”

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights investigates complaints of civil rights violations and can impose sanctions, including a total loss of federal funding, though this penalty is rarely applied and would require approval from a judge.

Critics of the order argue that it seeks to suppress discussions on race and racism. Trey Walk, a researcher and advocate with Human Rights Watch, stated, “Students have a right to learn about how discrimination can be entrenched in law and society. If the U.S. denies young people this knowledge, it has little hope of eradicating racism.”

Trump’s order also instructs the education secretary to develop a strategy within 90 days to “end indoctrination in K-12 education.” Linda McMahon, a billionaire professional wrestling mogul, has been appointed as Trump’s education secretary, though her Senate confirmation hearing has not been scheduled.

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Trump’s Plan to Fight Antisemitism on College Campuses

The second executive order focuses on combating antisemitism at U.S. colleges and universities. The plan outlines actions to investigate and prosecute offenders, promising to revoke visas for international students found to be “Hamas sympathizers.” The initiative aims to “protect law and order, quell pro-Hamas vandalism and intimidation, and investigate and punish anti-Jewish racism” on campuses.

This proposal drew swift criticism from civil rights groups, who argue that it unfairly targets peaceful campus protests. Edward Ahmed Mitchell, national deputy director of the Council on American-Islamic Relations, described the action as discriminatory and argued it wrongly labels protesters as “pro-jihadist” or “pro-Hamas.” He emphasized that the students protesting on campuses represented diverse backgrounds, including Jewish, Muslim, Black, Palestinian, and others, and were simply expressing opposition to what they viewed as genocide in Gaza.

Tensions on U.S. Campuses and the Biden Administration’s Response

Tensions over the Israel-Hamas conflict have sparked emotional demonstrations on U.S. campuses, including pro-Palestinian protests that led to over 3,200 arrests. The Biden administration has opened more than 100 investigations into alleged antisemitism and Islamophobia at schools and universities following Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack on Israel. Some schools reached settlements with the government prior to Trump’s return to office due to fears of more severe sanctions under his leadership.

On Wednesday, the White House also reinstated Trump’s 1776 Commission order, which promotes “patriotic education” in U.S. schools. The commission’s guide, which was criticized for downplaying America’s history of slavery and civil rights struggles, was previously revoked by President Biden after widespread backlash from historians.

A Pushback Against Conservative Criticism of Education Content

Trump’s actions are seen as part of a broader conservative push against what some perceive as a liberal bias in education, particularly around topics of race and gender. Several Republican states have enacted laws prohibiting the teaching of critical race theory and other “divisive concepts” in public schools and universities. Critics argue that such measures impose vague restrictions on educators and stifle necessary conversations about history and social issues.