The Arizona chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-AZ), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today expressed grave concern and outrage over reports that at least 50 Arizona State University students have had their visas revoked by the Department of Homeland Security and are being ordered to leave the United States.
SEE: At least 50 ASU students have now had visas revoked, lawyer says
SEE: Trump takes aim at foreign-born college students, with 300 visas revoked
This aggressive crackdown is impacting hundreds—and potentially more than a thousand—international students nationwide, with a disproportionate effect on those from African, Arab, Middle Eastern, Muslim, and Asian backgrounds. The revocations come amid intensifying concerns that the Trump administration is deliberately targeting international students—particularly those engaged in political activism related to Palestine—for exercising their constitutionally protected First Amendment rights.
In a statement, RM Warner attorney and CAIR-AZ board member said: “What we are witnessing from this administration is a tyrannical attack on political expression and free speech. The arbitrary and capricious manner in which students are being punished is unprecedented, and our Founding Fathers would be deeply disappointed. It is clearly an attack on viewpoints that differ from those of the current administration.”
In a statement, CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif said, “The Trump administration’s actions make clear that it is targeting students—especially international students—for engaging in constitutionally protected First Amendment activity, such as political protest and human rights advocacy. Punishing students for expressing their views is a deeply un-American attack on free speech, one that undermines the very foundation of democracy. The First Amendment protects the right to speak out, assemble, and protest without fear of retaliation—rights that apply to everyone, regardless of citizenship. These politically motivated visa revocations are not only chilling but echo broader efforts to suppress dissent and silence marginalized voices across the country. We strongly urge the Department of Homeland Security to rescind these unjust visa revocations and to uphold the Constitution by doing what is right: protecting students’ rights, not punishing them for exercising them.”
CAIR-ARIZONA is actively working with an immigration law firm to support affected students and is maintaining regular contact to monitor their cases closely. The organization is committed to ensuring that every student is safe, informed, and receives the care and legal support they need during this challenging time.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Arizona Executive Director Azza Abuseif, aabuseif@cair.com, 480-704-3786; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Coordinator Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com