On Tuesday, March 11th, PSC President James Davis sent a letter to CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodríguez calling for swift and decisive action in response to federal agents’ arrest and detention of Mahmoud Khalil, a green card-holding permanent resident who had participated in protests against the war in Gaza while he was a student at Columbia. President Davis called for a public affirmation of the speech and assembly rights of CUNY community members with student visas, work visas, and with green cards. He also asked the Chancellor to affirm the prohibition against Department of Homeland Security agents, including ICE officers, entering CUNY facilities without presenting a judicial warrant to a college’s legal counsel or the director of security.
“The detention of Mr. Khalil is an act of intimidation that undermines our constitutional right to speak out, whether or not we are U.S. citizens,” reads the letter. “These are exceedingly perilous times for democracy and the rule of law. The deportation of a student protestor with permanent resident status and a green card is a travesty. Any number of CUNY’s international students, faculty and staff are at risk. It is critical that your administration make a public commitment to protecting the constitutional rights of members of the CUNY community.”
Published: March 11, 2025 | Last Modified: March 12, 2025
