Faculty Protest Detention of International Students Amid Immigration Crackdown

Faculty and staff at several U.S. universities have organized silent vigils in protest of the ongoing detention of international students by the Department of Homeland Security, citing concerns that these detentions are politically motivated and target students who have expressed solidarity with Palestine. Among those detained are Mahmoud Khalil (Columbia), Badar Khan Suri (Georgetown), and Rümeysa Öztürk (Tufts), with advocates alleging violations of First Amendment and due process rights. Öztürk’s legal team reports she is being held in harsh, overcrowded conditions in Louisiana, which have aggravated her asthma, and they are fighting for her transfer to Vermont as ordered by a federal judge. The U.S. government has objected to her transfer and has revoked the visas of hundreds of international students, labeling some as 'pro-Hamas' and a threat to national security. The detentions have sparked fear and anxiety among international students, with many reporting drastic lifestyle changes to avoid drawing attention and expressing uncertainty about their future in the U.S. Legal challenges are ongoing, and some students have had their status temporarily restored through court orders.