Campus Activism Under Fire: Students Fear and Silence

The atmosphere on some university campuses has shifted dramatically. Students who once openly protested Israel's actions in Gaza now find themselves in a climate of fear and silence. This change is not just about the protests themselves, but about the broader implications for students, especially those who are not U. S. citizens. The protests, which took place last spring, were a significant moment for many students. At Cornell University, for example, dozens of students set up an encampment on the quad to voice their opposition to Israel's war in Gaza. The demonstration lasted over two weeks and was part of a larger wave of protests across the country. These protests called on universities to divest from Israel, and students maintained that they were largely peaceful. However, the political landscape has changed, and so has the environment for these students. The Trump administration has implemented policies aimed at combating antisemitism on campuses, but these efforts have had unintended consequences. Non-citizen students who participated in pro-Palestinian activism have found themselves under scrutiny, facing visa revocations and even arrests. This has created a climate of uncertainty and fear, with some students feeling silenced and anxious about their future. One student, who goes by the nickname Sam, has felt the impact of these changes firsthand. Sam, a Ph. D. candidate at Cornell, visited the encampment daily and remembers it as a supportive and diverse environment. However, the administration's actions have made Sam worried for her safety and future. She now spends a significant amount of time and energy on preventive measures, checking her email for visa revocations and considering the comfort of her clothing in case of arrest. The situation has escalated with high-profile arrests and detentions. Mahmoud Khalil, a graduate student at Columbia University, and Rumeysa Öztürk, a Ph. D. candidate at Tufts University, are currently in U. S. detention centers. Both are challenging their arrests, and an immigration judge recently ruled that Khalil can be deported. Secretary of State Marco Rubio has defended the administration's efforts, stating that students should be in the U. S. to study, not to lead disruptive movements. The administration's actions have drawn criticism from various quarters. Kenneth Stern, who heads the Center for the Study of Hate at Bard College, has described the administration's efforts as a "weaponizing" of antisemitism. He argues that strong democratic institutions are crucial for combating hate, and that the current actions are assaulting free speech. Students on campus share this sentiment. An undergraduate student at Johns Hopkins University, who is Jewish, has expressed his concern about the chilling effect on campus activism. He notes that many students are terrified, not just about protesting in support of Palestine, but about speaking out on any issue. This hesitancy is particularly pronounced among international students, who face the risk of visa revocations and deportation. The pressure is not just on the students but also on the universities themselves. Schools like Cornell are under scrutiny for their handling of alleged antisemitism and are facing potential loss of federal funding. This has left students feeling unsupported and anxious about their future on campus.