Trump's visa restrictions are deemed more restrained than Biden's
The Biden administration introduced a visa policy in December 2023 targeting individuals in the West Bank believed to undermine peace. This policy faced little opposition, contrasting with the backlash against Trump's recent visa actions against pro-Hamas students in the U.S. Legal expert Eugene Kontorovich described Trump's visa restrictions as more restrained than Biden's politically charged policy. He noted that Biden's vague language allowed for potential punishment of those opposing the two-state solution, while Trump's actions focus on individuals with ties to a designated terrorist organization. The Trump administration is currently working to revoke visas for pro-Hamas students, including Mahmoud Khalil, who led anti-Israel protests. This has sparked criticism from Democrats, who argue it infringes on free speech rights, while the administration maintains it is a matter of national security.