Trump Escalates Crackdown on Free Speech in U.S. Universities, Targeting Pro-Palestinian and International Students
A sweeping policy shift under Trump intensifies surveillance, visa restrictions, and ideological control over American higher education — with a clear focus on silencing Palestinian solidarity.
Watan-The United States is witnessing an unprecedented escalation in its crackdown on free speech within higher education institutions. This is part of a growing campaign led by President Donald Trump’s administration to intimidate international students—particularly those supportive of the Palestinian cause—and to enforce strict ideological control over American universities.
On May 27, 2025, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced the suspension of processing all international student and exchange visa applications. The new policy includes intensive scrutiny of applicants’ social media activity. The affected visas include F (for academic students), M (for vocational students), and J (for researchers and educators). Observers have described this move as a dangerous escalation in surveillance and discriminatory practices.
In a report published on Common Dreams, writer Michael R. Allen argues that these actions are part of a broader effort by the right-wing elite to seize control of America’s academic institutions. The administration is reportedly using intimidation tactics against major universities like Harvard and Columbia, enforcing rigid censorship over curricula and academic discourse—particularly concerning Palestine.
This effort is not limited to academic suppression. It includes harassment and even arrests of international scholars, such as Badr Khan Suri of Georgetown University and Columbia graduate Mahmoud Khalil, both of whom were detained and treated harshly without credible legal grounds.
The report emphasizes that Trump’s campaign is not only about silencing students but about restructuring university leadership. Traditional administrators are being replaced with MAGA-aligned figures or coerced into full compliance with the administration’s political agenda, under the guise of budget cuts and cost-efficiency.
Allen also highlights the administration’s double standards: it cracks down on Palestinian solidarity groups while welcoming far-right and racist elements, including Afrikaner settler organizations from South Africa. This duality underscores an ideologically charged and racially biased immigration and education strategy.
International students represent a significant portion of the academic community—around 5.9% of university admissions—and primarily study STEM fields, typically avoiding political activity. However, the administration is now using expanded surveillance powers to intimidate them, particularly those expressing pro-Palestinian views online.
Michael R. Allen warns that these policies will not only erode freedom of expression and student rights but also transform American universities into platforms for promoting extremist right-wing ideologies. The long-term effects could damage the global reputation of U.S. academic institutions.
The author concludes by calling for unified resistance across American civil society, political parties, and public institutions to safeguard academic freedom and protect students’ right to free and safe expression.
