New York: While the executive orders are framed as efforts to enhance national security and combat antisemitism, the plaintiffs argue that the defendants falsely equate advocacy for Palestinian rights with antisemitism.

According to Anadolu Agency, Abed Ayoub, the group's national executive director, called the lawsuit "a necessary step to preserve our most fundamental constitutional protections." He argued that the First Amendment ensures "freedom of speech and expression to all persons within the United States, without exception."

Ayoub warns that by targeting students who support Palestine or engage in lawful protest, the administration's "extreme Orders threaten to silence entire communities" and unfairly single out international students who enrich academic and social institutions. This legal action follows the recent arrest of two Columbia University students involved in pro-Palestinian activism.

On March 9, Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder and student leader, was detained by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The White House fact sheet on the executive orders stated that Trump had vowed to deport "Hamas sympathizers and revoke student visas." Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin confirmed the arrest was made in alignment with the president's directives.

Trump commented on The White House X account: 'This is the first arrest of many to come.' In addition, Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended ICE's actions, CBS News reported last week, asserting that individuals involved in 'pro-Hamas events' would have their green cards and visas revoked.