The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ) today condemned the reported revocation of the visas of eight international students at Arizona State University and expressed concern that the action is part of the Trump administration’s crackdown on the free speech rights of students speaking out against Israel’s genocide in Gaza.
SEE: Trump administration revokes visas from international college students studying in Arizona
“The Trump administration’s revocation of these student visas is clearly an unconstitutional effort to chill free speech. We are outraged that this administration is attempting to normalize these unprecedented efforts to silence activists speaking out against Israel’s genocide in Gaza,” said CAIR-AZ Executive Director Azza Abuseif. “University administrators in our state and nationwide must step up to protect students and faculty from these unjust and un-American government actions.”
CAIR-AZ attorney Martín Quezada added:
“We will not stand by while the administration and universities attempt to normalize these actions. Targeting students, then punishing them for the content of their political speech is not only unconstitutional, but also shameful. These actions will have long-lasting implications on the students, their families and communities, and the future ability of institutions of higher education to maintain their status as a trusted source of critical thinking and free speech.
“We call on the administrators at Arizona State University, and university administrators all over the state and the nation, to step up and implement policies to protect all students and faculty from these unconstitutional, unjust and un-American government actions. CAIR-AZ is anxious to partner with you in these efforts.”
She noted that CAIR-AZ recently expressed deep concern that a federal investigation of Arizona State University (ASU) would violate students’ First amendment rights and set a dangerous precedent for silencing political speech on college campuses.
Yesterday, CAIR’s Philadelphia chapter questioned whether federal authorities revoked the visa of a Temple University student due to peaceful anti-genocide activism in defense of Palestinian rights, as has occurred at other universities.
Last week, CAIR issued a summary of its recent guidance offered to community members concerned about travel and free speech issues under the Trump Administration.
Last month, CAIR’s Massachusetts chapter condemned the abduction of Tufts graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk by federal immigration authorities.
Yesterday, CAIR designated Virginia’s George Mason University (GMU) as a “hostile campus” due to its targeting of Palestinian, Muslim, Arab, Jewish, and other students, staff, and faculty who stand against occupation, apartheid, and genocide.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif, 602-349-1573, aabuseif@cair.com