EMMA PIRHALA / NEWS EDITOR

Following President Donald Trump’s inauguration, a series of orders and diplomatic conversations led to major changes in the conflict between Israel and Hamas — including a ceasefire, hostage releases and a proposal for the U.S. to temporarily gain control of the Gaza Strip. In the United States, students are concerned about potential retribution against pro-Palestinian protesters from the Trump administration, which committed to cancelling visas and deporting international students who have engaged in pro-Palestine activities in an attempt to combat anti-Semitism. Trump emphasized his plans in an executive order factsheet. 

“To all the resident aliens who joined in the pro-jihadist protests, we put you on notice: come 2025, we will find you, and we will deport you,” Trump stated. “I will also quickly cancel the student visas of all Hamas sympathizers on college campuses, which have been infested with radicalism like never before.”

The language of Trump’s statements have caused confusion as to who is defined as a pro-jihadist or a Hamas sympathizer. Students across the country have been preparing for the possibility of returning home Some pro-Palestine students at USD are concerned about these directives following their involvement in activism on-campus. USD sophomore Shukriya Osman shared her perspective.

“I recognize the privilege I have as an American citizen, allowing me to participate in protests for Palestine and use my voice and power to amplify the struggles of those in more vulnerable positions,” Osman said. “However, I do feel a sense of hesitance, as there is often significant pushback and hostility towards those who express support for Palestine. Despite this, I remain committed to staying educated on the issue, and it is precisely this knowledge that fuels my determination to continue being a voice for Palestine. It’s crucial for me to not only speak out but also to ensure that I do so thoughtfully, with the understanding that solidarity means more than just words—it requires consistent action and advocacy, even in the face of opposition.”

USD senior Jed Edelstein serves as the president of USD’s Jewish Student Association, which has been a voice of support for Israel on campus. However, Edelstein explained his mixed feelings regarding the new administration’s orders. 

USD community members gathered in support of Palestine in spring of 2024. Photo courtesy of @pscusd/Instagram

“I’m going to be honest, most of the time I’m not a big fan of Trump’s actions but I can recognize he gets stuff right sometimes,” Edelstein shared. “In this case it’s kinda both. This pledge by the president draws an important line in the sand showing that anti-Semitic and violent actions and rhetoric will not be tolerated in the US especially by those who have been given the incredible opportunity to study here. Though, the language of the president paints those supporting Palestine as jihadists and even I can recognize that that is an unfair characterization.”

Despite the potential retribution from the Trump administration, the Palestine Solidarity Committee (PSC) at USD remains committed to their on-campus activism. The USD Vista contacted PSC to learn more about their activism amidst the heightened political climate. 

“The Palestine Solidarity Committee at USD stands firm in our commitment to fighting all forms of oppression, including the Palestinian cause for human rights, justice, and self-determination, despite the proposed plans of any new United States administration,” PSC commented. 

PSC   has  continued  to support teach-ins at the University which highlight professors from across Southern California and enable further dialogue on the state of Palestine. The most recent teach-in was held on Feb. 11 and focused on Palestine’s future under the Trump administration. Given the potential impact of Trump’s orders on USD students’ ability to organize, The USD Vista reached out to the University to learn more about the administration’s stance on the orders. 

“The [University’s] priority is the privacy and safety of our community,” Senior Director of Media Relations, Lissette Martinez, stated on behalf of the University. “Antisemitism, Islamophobia or any form of discrimination have no place at USD and are contrary to our values of inclusivity and respect for human dignity. As stated previously, USD will not disclose any student or employee information, including immigration status, except in response to a judicial warrant, subpoena, or other legal mandate.”

As the conflict in the Middle East continues to persist, students remain committed to advocating for their beliefs despite any potential retribution from the president. 

Students created and held up signs at a protest hosted by PSC in spring of 2024. Photo courtesy of @pscusd/Instagram