Key Updates
Summary
Combat anti-Semitism vigorously, using all available and appropriate legal tools, to prosecute, remove, or otherwise hold to account the perpetrators of unlawful anti-Semitic harassment and violence.
Legal Challenges
Date Complaint Filed | March 18, 2025 |
Venue | United States District Court for the Northern District of New York |
Summary |
Plaintiffs (whose scholarly work criticizes Israel) contend that Executive Order 14188 violates their First Amendment rights by broadly defining anti-Semitism to encompass protected political speech, specifically criticism of the Israeli government and advocacy supporting Palestinian rights. They argue that this expansive interpretation effectively suppresses dissenting viewpoints by imposing harsh penalties including deportation, prosecution, and government monitoring. Plaintiffs also challenge the order under the Fifth Amendment, asserting that its vague and overly broad language denies fair notice and invites arbitrary enforcement, exacerbating the chilling effect on constitutionally protected expression. |
Related Cases |
American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) v. Trump et al. The ADC, along with co-counsel, filed a lawsuit seeking a nationwide injunction against the enforcement of Executive Orders 14161 and 14188. They argue that these orders violate constitutional rights, particularly targeting international students and scholars advocating for Palestinian rights under the guise of national security. Cornell University Students and Professors v. Trump et al. A group of students and professors at Cornell University filed for an emergency injunction against the Trump administration, challenging the constitutionality of Executive Orders 14161 and 14188. They contend that these orders infringe upon free speech protections by targeting activists critical of U.S. and Israeli policies. |