Targeted: Taal

According to the article, in 2020, the Trump administration implemented a series of executive orders aimed at suppressing protests against genocide, specifically targeting international students. The article focuses on the case of Momodou Taal, a British-Gambian citizen studying in the US, who was caught up in these measures. The orders broadly defined "anti-American" activities and provided a framework for the government to deny visas, deport students, and monitor their online activity. Taal, like many other international students, became a target due to his perceived association with protest movements. The article argues that these actions represented a significant assault on democratic rights and academic freedom. The article highlights the government's surveillance and intimidation tactics used against students like Taal. It alleges that the Trump administration used the guise of national security to stifle dissent and suppress criticism of its policies. The details of Taal's case, as revealed in the transcript, demonstrate the extent to which the government was willing to go to target individuals based on their political views and associations. The summary states that Taal was one of thousands of international students who were targeted under these executive orders. find the original article here: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2025/04/30/ejld-a30.html