‘National disgrace’: US lawmakers decry student detentions on visit to Ice jails

Delegation visits jails where #MahmoudKhalil and #RümeysaÖztürk are being held and denounce ‘authoritarian’ #Trump

from #TheGuardian #Guardian
Dani Anguiano
Tue 22 Apr 2025 20.31 EDT

"#Öztürk, a #TuftsUniversity PhD student, and #Khalil, a graduate of #Columbia, have been detained for more than a month since US immigration authorities took them into custody. Neither have been accused of criminal conduct and are being held in violation of their constitutional rights, members of the delegation said."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/22/mahmoud-khalil-rumeysa-ozturk-ice-detention?CMP=share_btn_url

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#ReleaseMohsenMahdawi
#ReleaseRümeysaÖztürk
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#USA #US #USPolitics #politics
#news #press

'Do You Realize That This Is Kafkaesque?':
#Trump's Attacks on Foreign Students Stun Judges

"Disenrolling students was already a blatant capitulation, and now it is a wholly inexcusable one," said one attorney.

from #CommonDreams
Brett Wilkins
Apr 22, 2025

https://www.commondreams.org/news/trump-student-visas

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#ReleaseMohsenMahdawi
#Release Rümeysa Öztürk
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#USA #US #USPolitics #politics
#news #press

Detained #Turkish student must be transferred from #Louisiana for hearing, judge rules

#RümeysaÖztürk was taken by #immigration officials over what her lawyers say was apparent retaliation for op-ed

from #AssociatedPress #AP #APNews
via #TheGuardian
Fri 18 Apr 2025 18.40 EDT

"A federal judge on Friday ordered that a #Turkish #TuftsUniversity student detained by immigration authorities in Louisiana be brought to #Vermont by 1 May for a hearing over what her lawyers say was apparent retaliation for an op-ed piece she co-wrote in the student newspaper."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/18/tufts-student-judge-hearing?CMP=share_btn_url

#Release Rümeysa Öztürk
#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#ReleaseMohsenMahdawi
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

"Come for one, face us all."

from #TheWire
[online publication of #JewishVoiceForPeace #JVP in #USA]

"Desperate to crush popular and growing opposition to #Israel’s genocide, the #Trump regime is shredding our First Amendment rights.

But we’re not backing down. Shortly after Mohsen was arrested, over a thousand Jews and allies gathered for an emergency Passover seder outside ICE headquarters in NYC to demand his and other student activists’ release.

Our message is clear: “Come for one, face us all.”"

https://www.jewishvoiceforpeace.org/2025/04/16/come-for-one-face-us-all/

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#ReleaseMohsenMahdawi
#repression
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendRuleOfLaw
#RestoreFundsToUNRWA
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press
@palestine @israel

After I read about Harvard standing up to the Bully-in-Chief's outrageous demands, and then him taking back 2.2B dollars of federal grants from them, I thought of a (mostly) symbolic gesture of solidarity.

Why not donate $10 to #Harvard to support their act of defiance? Harvard is a wealthy school and not on my normal list of causes or institutions to donate to. And there are many other organizations that need funds to defend social justice. But in this moment it might have a positive impact that makes it worthwhile.

So I searched and found Harvard's donation website and sent them $10. It's a long way from $2.2B, but that's really not the point, and if many people do it, it could send a message that we aren't going to stand by and let a wannabe dictator take over education.

alumni.harvard.edu/giving

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#NoKings
#SendTenBucksToHarvard
#HarvardUniversity

Harvard University punished with $2b funding freeze for defying Trump

Freeze followed a letter sent on Monday to the Trump administration saying it rejects the government’s demands

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By Syma Mohammed
Published date: 15 April 2025 21:30 BST

"The freeze, representing 35.9 percent of #Harvard's $6.4bn operating expenses, immediately followed a letter on Monday from #HarvardUniversity lawyers to the #Trump administration, stating that it rejected the government’s demands.

The letter, issued by Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan and LLP King & Spalding LLP, said that “The university will not surrender its independence or relinquish its constitutional rights.”"

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/harvard-university-punished-2b-funding-freeze-defying-trump

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#FreeMahdawi
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

'Immoral, Inhumane, and Illegal': #ICE Arrests Palestinian #Columbia Protest Leader

"He came to this country hoping to be free to speak out about the atrocities he has witnessed, only to be punished for such speech," said Mohsen Mahdawi's lawyer.

from #CommonDreams
Julia Conley
Apr 14, 2025

"A month after the international far-right pro-Israel group #Betar named #ColumbiaUniversity student #MohsenMahdawi as the next target in its campaign to push for the deportation of #Palestinian rights defenders, #Mahdawi was arrested Monday at an immigration office in Colchester, Vermont, where he had arrived to complete a test to be a naturalized U.S. citizen. "

https://www.commondreams.org/news/mohsen-mahdawi

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#FreeMahdawi
#StopTheDeportations
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

A Palestinian activist expecting a US citizenship interview is arrested instead by #ICE in Vermont

from #AssociatedPress #AP #APNews
By PATRICK WHITTLE and HOLLY RAMER
Updated 6:04 PM EDT, April 14, 2025

"A #Palestinian man who led protests against the war in #Gaza as a student at #ColumbiaUniversity was arrested Monday at a Vermont immigration office where he expected to be interviewed about finalizing his U.S. citizenship, his attorneys said.

Mohsen Mahdawi, a legal permanent resident who has held a green card since 2015, was detained at the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services office in Colchester by #ImmigrationAndCustomsEnforcement agents, his lawyers said. "

https://apnews.com/article/immigration-palestine-protest-trump-deportation-columbia-fca7e73fe2cbd616c1eacf3bdececdbe?utm_source=copy&utm_medium=share

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech #StopTheDeportations
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

Pro-#Palestinian protester’s lawyer stopped and searched at US border: ‘They were going to take my device’

Amir Makled says immigration officials questioned him about his phone’s contents. Experts warn fourth amendment rights have been weakened at the border

from #TheGuardian #Guardian
Johana Bhuiyan
Sat 12 Apr 2025 08.00 EDT

"#AmirMakled thought he was being racially profiled. A Lebanese American who was born and raised in Detroit, the attorney was returning home from a family vacation in the Dominican Republic when he said an immigration official at the Detroit Metro airport asked for a “TTRT” agent after scanning his passport on Sunday. Makled said the expression on the agent’s face changed. He felt something “odd” was happening."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/12/amir-makled-phone-search-border-immigration?CMP=share_btn_url

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#CivilLiberties
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

Judge gives Trump administration deadline to justify Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation

Jamee Comans said if evidence does not support deportation, she may rule for #Columbia graduate’s release

from #TheGuardian #Guardian
Delaney Nolan in Jena, Louisiana
Tue 8 Apr 2025 17.04 EDT

"An #immigration judge ruled on Tuesday that the #Trump administration has until 5pm on Wednesday to present evidence as to why #MahmoudKhalil, the #Palestinian activist and #ColumbiaUniversity graduate, should be deported. She said that if the evidence does not support deportation, she may rule on Friday on his release from immigration detention."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/08/mahmoud-khalil-deportation-judge-deadline-trump?CMP=share_btn_url

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

Pro-#Palestine activists targeted for deportation hit out at #German state repression

Irish, Polish and US citizens tell MEE that #Germany and the West is in a 'fascism pipeline'

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By Sal Ahmed in Berlin
Published date: 7 April 2025 16:05 BST

"On a video call, two EU nationals and an American recently served with deportation orders by Berlin’s state government for attending demonstrations against #Israel’s war on #Gaza told MEE they strongly reject accusations of #antisemitism and indirect support for #Hamas.

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/germany-palestine-activists-deportation-state-repression

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#news #press @palestine

Mahmoud Khalil says his arrest was part of ‘Columbia’s repression playbook’

Green-card holder and activist led campus pro-Palestinian rallies and is now fighting Trump effort to deport him

from #TheGuardian #Guardian
Edward Helmore
Sat 5 Apr 2025 18.17 EDT

#MahmoudKhalil, the #Columbia University student activist who led campus pro-#Palestinian rallies and is now resisting the #Trump administration’s deportation efforts, has accused the university of laying “the groundwork for my abduction” and called on the student body to continue demonstrations and protests.

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/apr/05/mahmoud-khalil-columbia-university?CMP=share_btn_url

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

US: #NewJersey school slammed for 'anti-#Palestinian' assignment on activist #MahmoudKhalil

Educational advocates and parents said the student project was an attempt to manipulate students with false information

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE
By Azad Essa
Published date: 27 March 2025 20:05 GMT

"...in the prompts provided by the teacher, Khalil is described as a supporter of terrorism; is accused of having celebrated the Hamas-led attacks of 7 October 2023 on southern Israel; and students who took part in the protests at Columbia University are described as "Hamas students". "

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/us-new-jersey-school-slammed-anti-palestinian-assignment-paper

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#ReleaseMahmoudKhalil
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine

US: #TuftsUniversity student detained for pro-#Palestine views transferred to Louisiana

The #Turkish national's lawyer said she had been moved to the southern state but a judge ordered her to remain in Massachusetts

from #MiddleEastEye #MEE

By Syma Mohammed
Published date: 26 March 2025 21:18 GMT

"Masked Immigration and Customs Enforcement (#ICE) agents approached and physically restrained the #Tufts University doctoral student while on the street in Somerville, Massachusetts, on Wednesday before taking her into custody for “pro-Palestine” views. She is being held at the South Louisiana Processing Center."

https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/tufts-university-student-detained-pro-palestine-views-transferred

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

Exclusive: As Trump Threatens to Deport Him, Momodou Taal Says It’s “Time to Escalate for Palestine”

A #Cornell student suing the #Trump administration over free speech — and now facing deportation threats — shares his story on The Intercept Briefing.

from #TheIntercept
March 24 2025, 6:00 a.m.

"“Anything that shows solidarity of #Palestine is being mischaracterized quite erroneously as #antisemitism. That’s the way in which they are trying to get us to stop speaking about Palestine,” he says."

https://theintercept.com/2025/03/24/briefing-podcast-momodou-taal/

#DefendMomodouTaal
#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#MomodouTaal
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

He Sued #Trump Over Free Speech. Then #ICE Demanded He Turn Himself In.

#Cornell student #MomodouTaal’s lawyers said the demand was “retribution” for his lawsuit against the crackdown on pro-#Palestine speech.

from #TheIntercept [may have paywall]
Jonah Valdez, Jessica Washington
March 21 2025, 5:34 p.m.

https://theintercept.com/2025/03/21/trump-free-speech-lawsuit-ice-momodou-taal/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20Intercept%20Newsletter

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#news #press @palestine

Victims of UCLA Mob Attack Sue to “Hold the Aggressors Accountable”

Pro-#Palestine protesters at #UCLA who were attacked by a mob allege that the school did little to stop nearly five hours of violence.

from #TheIntercept [may have paywall]
Jonah Valdez, Akela Lacy
March 20 2025, 1:46 p.m.

https://theintercept.com/2025/03/20/ucla-palestine-israel-campus-protest-lawsuit/?utm_medium=email&utm_source=The%20Intercept%20Newsletter

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics #Zionist
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine @israel

“First, They Came for #MahmoudKhalil”

Those close to him tell the story of a man whose journey took him from being a "double refugee" to scholar to political prisoner.

from #DropSiteNews
Meghnad Bose
Mar 23, 2025

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/mahmoud-khalil-journey-refugee-syria-columbia-university?r=2y9nd&utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web&showWelcomeOnShare=false

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#NeverStopTalkingAboutPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#media #news #press @palestine

Jewish Academics Slam Trump Attack On #Columbia

“The knock-on effects of this will be catastrophic,” one co-author told #huffpost

By Matt Shuham
Mar 19, 2025, 05:28 PM EDT

"Hundreds of #Jewish professors, scholars and students have signed a letter condemning the #Trump administration for canceling $400 million in federal funding to #ColumbiaUniversity and threatening other universities."

https://www.huffpost.com/entry/jewish-academics-trump-columbia-antisemitism_n_67db29a5e4b0abb74b13dbb7

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#SolidarityWithPalestine is #NotAntisemitism
#EqualRightsForAllFromTheRiverToTheSea is #NotAntisemitic
#JewHatredHurtsPalestine
#Gaza #Israel #Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics
#media #news #press @palestine @israel

#Georgetown Postdoc the Latest to Be Detained by #ICE as Crackdown on Campus Speech Widens

#BadarKhanSuri was detained by #DHS agents after a public campaign against him and his wife by pro-#Israel groups.

from #DropSiteNews
Archit and Murtaza Hussain
Mar 19

#Suri's arrest comes after an exceptionally public media campaign targeting his wife, #MaphezeSaleh, by pro-Israel groups. Saleh, a U.S. citizen of Palestinian background, is the daughter of #AhmedYousef, a former political advisor to the #Hamas-led government in the #Gaza Strip, after the group gained control there in 2006. #Yousef has been a writer and commentator on Hamas in recent years for major Western media publications, including the New York Times and The Guardian.

https://www.dropsitenews.com/p/georgetown-postdoc-the-latest-to?publication_id=2510348&post_id=159450359&isFreemail=true&r=fzerp&triedRedirect=true

#DefendAcademicFreedom
#repression
#DefendFreeSpeech
#ProtestIsNotACrime
#DefendStudentProtesters
#FreePalestine #LetGazaLive
#Palestine #MiddleEast #WestAsia #politics
#USA #US #USPolitics #Trump
#news #press @palestine