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Statement on DHS Proposed Rule Imposing New Limits on Student Visa Duration

The MESA Task Force on Civil and Human Rights calls on DHS to withdraw a proposed rule that would effectively deprive international students of lawful status for the duration required for many degree programs, restricting students from much of the developing world to two-year visas insufficient even for undergraduate study. The administration's proposed regulation would effectively mean that the United States no longer welcomes international students. If this rule were to go into effect, students from much of the world would face severe disincentives in considering degree programs in the U.S. Such actions would inflict broad harm on the intellectual life and economic viability of American universities, future generations of students, and the sectors of the economy that require highly qualified researchers and professionals.

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TFCHR announces a study of visa and denial of entry issues

MESA's Task Force on Civil and Human Rights notes with concern the increasing denial of entry to students, particularly from Iran, with valid visas, as well as reports of deportations and interrogations. MESA has initiated a study of the issues of visa cancelation, border denials, and deportations of students and faculty from the Middle East and North Africa. We are seeking information to better document the challenges faced by those seeking to travel from the MENA region to the US for academic purposes. Please contact [email protected] if you would like to provide information regarding these issues.

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Letter Criticizing President Trump’s Executive Order on Combating Anti-Semitism

Letter calling on President Trump to revoke the Executive Order on anti-Semitism, and expressing grave concern over this counterproductive approach to a real issue by relying upon a problematic definition with vague examples, which might encourage the Department of Education to infringe upon academic freedoms and restrict free speech on US campuses.

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Calling on Kingsborough Community College to defend faculty free speech rights and academic freedom

Letter to the president of Kingsborough Community College and the interim chancellor of the City University of New York calling on them to defend faculty members subjected to baseless accusations of anti-Semitism and harassment, and to uphold the right to free speech and the principles of academic freedom.

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