Since Donald Trump’s inauguration in January this year, he has attempted to silence criticism of Israel and the United States’ involvement in their ongoing assault on Gaza by unleashing an intense crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists. At this point, it’s no overstatement to say that if you are vocal against this genocide, there’s no guarantee you’ll be safe in the United States. 

For over a year, millions have been advocating for an end to Israel’s genocide of Palestinians in Gaza. Many university students have staged protests, established encampments on campus, and even undertaken gruelling hunger strikes to take action against their university’s complicity in supporting Israel’s occupation. Prominent encampments have taken place at universities such as NYU, Cornell and Columbia, where student organisers on academic visas have been targeted and subjected to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) crackdowns, leading to detainment and even deportation.

Tufts PhD candidate Rumeysa Ozturk was kidnapped by undercover ICE agents and recently released after being detained for six weeks just for co-authoring an opinion piece in her college newspaper against her university’s relationship with Israel. Meanwhile, Mahmoud Khalil, a green card holder that led protests at Columbia University, has been detained for the past two months, after being arrested by ICE agents at his apartment in New York City. Even after his wife went into labour with their first child, Khalil was not granted any mercy to attend the birth of his son.

Momodou Taal, a British-Gambian PhD candidate for Africana studies at Cornell University, was asked to “surrender” to United States immigration officials in March due to his involvement in pro-Palestian protests (considered “antisemitic” by the Trump administration). Following October 7, Taal gave multiple speeches at rallies and organised protests against Israel’s relentless bombardment of Gaza. His actions saw him get suspended from Cornell – twice – and subsequently become an ICE target. He was driven into hiding after ICE agents attempted to locate him at his house and ultimately decided to self-deport by exiting through the Canadian border and flying back to London.

It is important now more than ever for any individual, regardless of their citizenship or status, to be vigilant and protect themselves and others by following safety protocols. Below, we’ve compiled a guide to staying safe in the US right now.

BE MINDFUL OF YOUR DIGITAL FOOTPRINT

“The state is coming after those vocal on social media. Be sure to do regular phone and social media wipes,” Taal advises. “Be careful and wary of incriminating and jeopardising other organisers and groups. Avoid tagging and showing other people’s faces in photos. Having a burner phone is essential if you’re active in organising as your messages could be subpoenaed.”

When crossing a border, attending a protest, or going through customs, power down your devices, use encrypted messaging software, and use strong numeric passwords instead of biometric ones. Remove any access to your phone via face ID or fingerprint, and put a passcode on all your devices. Taal also advises activists and organisers to document everything, leave laptops at home and take a burner phone when travelling into the US.

Finally, Taal recommends memorising the phone numbers of organisations who can offer you legal advice if you need it, such as Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), PalLegal, Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC), in case your phone is taken off you.

KEEP IN TOUCH WITH FRIENDS AND RELEVANT ORGANISATIONS

It’s vital to create emergency contingency plans within your local organisations and establish communal defence protocols.

When travelling to the US, let a trusted friend know of your expected arrival time, as well as the phone number of an organisation that is able to offer free legal advice like PalLegal. This way, your friend can get in touch with them if you do not respond to them within a reasonable timeframe after landing in the US.

KNOW YOUR RIGHTS

Abed Ayoub, the national executive director at American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) stresses that activists should “remain vigilant about both their digital and physical safety. Even more importantly, activists should use common sense and understand the climate we are in at this moment.” Remember you have the right to remain silent at all times.

He adds that “understanding your legal rights, using secure communication tools, and building strong, diverse coalitions can offer a vital layer of protection. Even with all the threats we must not let fear silence our calls for justice; rather, we must stand firm and support one another. The right to free speech is a cornerstone of democracy, and in times like these, solidarity and preparedness are our strongest safeguards.” PalLegal has a detailed guide to understanding your rights available here on their website.

Taal’s final message to organisers and those vocal against genocide is to “be ready to sacrifice.” “When I see this level of oppression by the United States, it doesn’t show strength. It shows me that Zionism lost,” he says. “When power has to show itself in this manner it shows a level of weakness. Yes, it’s tough, but we are going to win eventually.”