In recent days, the atmosphere in U.S. higher education has taken a dramatic turn. Concerns among international students and faculty have intensified due to the mounting measures against pro-Palestinian protestors at Columbia University. Many are surprised by this crackdown, which echoes government suppression seen in other nations, yet now appears on American college campuses.
At the heart of these developments is the eminent New York-based institution, Columbia University, which has become a focal point for the current administration’s initiative to deport foreign nationals involved in pro-Palestinian demonstrations at academic institutions last year. Immigration authorities have detained two foreign individuals connected to protests, further revoking the visa of a student who has since departed from the U.S. On a related note, agents from the Department of Homeland Security recently conducted searches at the campus residences of two additional students but made no new arrests.
Republican leaders have indicated that these actions represent only the beginning, predicting more student visa revocations in the near future. Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism has released a statement lamenting the palpable sense of fear among its international students over the past week. The faculty expressed their concerns unequivocally, acknowledging the students’ fears as justified.
The apprehension extends beyond Columbia, with international students and faculty across the nation expressing reluctance to voice their opinions or distinguish themselves on campuses, worried about potential deportation. Veena Dubal, a law professor from the University of California, Irvine, and general counsel for the American Association of University Professors, stated that even professors with green cards are fearful of jeopardizing their immigration status through advocacy. This fear results in diminished academic discourse and a muted presence in scholarly publications.
The initial arrest linked to this crackdown occurred on a recent Saturday when federal immigration officers apprehended Mahmoud Khalil, a known Palestinian activist and graduate student, at his apartment building near Columbia’s campus. Khalil’s arrest is symbolic of the broader initiative by the current administration to reprimand movements perceived as antisemitic or anti-American, actions that stirred controversy on U.S. campuses the previous year. Khalil, who holds a green card, is currently in detention in Louisiana.
Participants of the Columbia protests maintain that opposing Israeli policies should not be labeled as antisemitic. Yet, some Jewish community members have reported feeling threatened by such rhetoric. Civil rights groups have condemned Khalil’s detention, interpreting it as a violation of free speech rights, a sentiment echoed by Brian Hauss of the American Civil Liberties Union. He warns that similar actions could suppress dissent from any non-U.S. citizen on contentious global matters.
The impact of the crackdown reaches beyond New York. A Bangladeshi student at Louisiana State University, wishing to remain anonymous, has ceased sharing political opinions online due to fears of becoming a target, reminiscent of the political climate in Bangladesh.
Various educational institutions are advising caution to international students regarding public statements or online activities. Some students across different campuses have opted not to speak to journalists over concerns regarding their immigration status. Columbia’s administration has specifically warned non-U.S. citizens about their increased risk of arrest or deportation.
In response to these concerns, Columbia’s Graduate School of Journalism emphasized the serious nature of current times, advising students on potential vulnerabilities. The University of California, Davis, has updated its online guidance to international students about rights to free speech and the possible immigration consequences of legal scrutiny.
Tensions have heightened following Khalil’s arrest, with the Department of Homeland Security apprehending another Palestinian student, Leqaa Kordia, for staying beyond her visa allowance. Similarly, Ranjani Srinivasan, an Indian doctoral student, had her visa revoked over alleged support for violence, prompting her voluntary departure from the U.S.
The administration has signaled that Khalil’s case is merely the beginning, with prominent government figures indicating the likelihood of further visa revocations. As students, faculty, and administrators navigate these precarious waters, the larger implications for academic freedom and international presence in U.S. education loom large.
