The US Justice Department is investigating whether individuals involved in the pro-Palestinian protests at Columbia University last year violated federal anti-terrorism laws, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche announced Friday.

The U.S. Justice Department is examining whether student protests at Columbia University over the Gaza war violated federal terrorism laws, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said on Friday. Blanche said the investigation is also looking into civil rights violations tied to the demonstrations that roiled the New York campus last year.

The probe is coming at a time when US President Donald Trump’s administration has intensified its campaign to deport foreigners who took part in the pro-Palestinian demonstrations last year