On March 19, 2025, students rallied at UC Berkeley to protest the Trump administration's scrutiny of campus protests and curriculum, raising concerns about federal funding cuts and academic freedom. Chancellor Richard Lyons emphasized the university's support for immigrant and international students amid these challenges. The administration has revoked 300 visas for students, particularly targeting those involved in pro-Palestinian protests. Legal representatives highlight that the chilling effect of these actions extends beyond students, creating a broader atmosphere of fear regarding free speech and travel restrictions, particularly for international students.
"These actions create an uncertain and challenging environment for our campus community," UC Berkeley Chancellor Richard Lyons said in a statement on Monday. "Your university supports, without reservation, the right and ability of immigrant and international students, staff, and faculty to participate fully in the campus experience."
"It's becoming a very insecure and strange time for this republic," said Ramsey Judah, a lawyer with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in Los Angeles, who said that the chilling effect on speech was not confined to students or green card and visa holders.
"We're seeing it across the board because people now are scared to speak up, not just on Palestine," he said.
"We actually are telling everybody not to travel, especially if you are a student, because they've been denying people's entry," Judah said.
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