Many on social media have been pointing to a federal guidance from the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) that identifies the phrase "Go back to where you came from" as language that could violate anti-discrimination laws in the wake of recent attacks by President TrumpDonald John TrumpBiden adds to vote margin over Trump after Milwaukee County recount Krebs says allegations of foreign interference in 2020 election 'farcical'  Republicans ready to become deficit hawks again under a President Biden MORE targeting four lawmakers of color.

On its website, the federal agency, which enforces the government's employment discrimination laws, states that “ethnic slurs and other verbal or physical conduct because of nationality are illegal if they are severe or pervasive and create an intimidating, hostile or offensive working environment, interfere with work performance, or negatively affect job opportunities.” 

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"Examples of potentially unlawful conduct include insults, taunting, or ethnic epithets, such as making fun of a person's foreign accent or comments like, 'Go back to where you came from,' whether made by supervisors or by co-workers,” it adds.

The phrase is similar to one Trump has drawn harsh criticism for making in a tweet over the weekend, in which he told four minority congresswomen – Democratic Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezTrump will soon be out of office — but polarization isn't going anywhere Trump tweets Thanksgiving criticism of NFL QBs for kneeling Kamala Harris, Stacey Abrams among nominees for Time magazine's 2020 Person of the Year MORE (N.Y.), Rashida TlaibRashida Harbi TlaibBiden Cabinet picks largely unify Democrats — so far Democrats brush off calls for Biden to play hardball on Cabinet picks GOP congresswoman-elect wants to form Republican 'Squad' called 'The Force' MORE (Mich.), Ayanna PressleyAyanna PressleyGOP congresswoman-elect wants to form Republican 'Squad' called 'The Force' Pelosi faces caucus divisions in Biden era Record number of Black women elected to Congress in 2020 MORE (Mass.) and Ilhan OmarIlhan OmarMeet the three Democrats who could lead foreign affairs in the House Biden Cabinet picks largely unify Democrats — so far GOP congresswoman-elect wants to form Republican 'Squad' called 'The Force' MORE (Minn.) — to “go back” to their home countries.

Ocasio-Cortez, Tlaib and Pressley were born in the U.S. Omar is a naturalized citizen.

In the wake of his comments, a number of Twitter users, including George ConwayGeorge ConwayLack of influence means it's time to dismiss the Lincoln Project Sirota: Lincoln Project election efforts to swing GOP votes from Trump 'epic failure' Raccoon that 'attacked' news crews on White House lawn sparks viral jokes MORE, the husband of White House counselor Kellyanne ConwayKellyanne Elizabeth ConwayWomen set to take key roles in Biden administration Lara Trump mulling 2022 Senate run in North Carolina: report Press: Where is Jim Baker when we need him? MORE, have been surfacing the federal guidance.

Earlier this week, the House voted to approve a resolution condemning Trump's tweets targeting the minority congresswomen as racist. Four Republicans broke party ranks to join all Democrats in passing the measure.

Tags Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Lawrence O'Donnell Kellyanne Conway Ayanna Pressley Rashida Tlaib George Conway Sunny Hostin Donald Trump Ilhan Omar Tim Kaine