Canary Mission Targets Foreign Nationals Amid Antisemitism Executive Order
On March 24, a clandestine organization known as Canary Mission unveiled a new feature on its website titled “Uncovering Foreign Nationals.” This move comes in the wake of President Trump’s recent executive order aimed at combating antisemitism across the United States. The group, which claims its mission is to identify and expose individuals who allegedly promote “hatred of the U.S.A., Israel, and Jews on North American college campuses,” has listed the names of seven individuals, including three current and former professors from Columbia University.
The seven individuals flagged by Canary Mission, all of whom are non-U.S. citizens, could potentially face deportation. They are part of a larger group of thousands whose images and purported antisemitic activities have been cataloged on Canary’s website since its inception a decade ago. All are accused of engaging in anti-Israeli activism.
Since the Trump administration initiated a sweeping immigration crackdown last month, nine students and professors—many of whom have participated in protests or other forms of activism related to Israel’s conflict in Gaza—have either been threatened with deportation or detained. Notably, three of these individuals were previously listed on the Canary Mission website.
The recent actions against these foreign students and scholars, many of whom are highly esteemed in their respective fields, have sparked serious concerns about the rationale behind federal authorities targeting them. Additionally, questions arise regarding the influence of external groups like Canary Mission in identifying individuals for deportation. During a press briefing on Monday, a State Department spokeswoman was asked whether such lists factor into decision-making processes. She declined to comment, stating that the agency would not discuss “what occurs with individuals and their visas, including whether they are issued or revoked.”
