Letter to Cornell regarding Ariella Azoulay lecture disruption
Letter to president and dean at Cornell University protesting treatment of Professor Ariella Azoulay during and after an online lecture.
- Press Releases
- US
- P125
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.
Memo on the Circumstances of the Arrest and Detention of Iranian Materials Scientist Dr. Sirous Asgari
The Middle East Studies Association Task Force on Civil and Human Rights and the Committee on Academic Freedom join together in expressing our shock and outrage at reports concerning the arrest and detention of Iranian materials scientist Dr. Sirous Asgari.
Response from USC President to August 17 Letter
University of Southern California President Carol L. Folt responds to August 17 CAF letter regarding her recent message conflating anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism.
Letter to USC President Regarding Recent Message Conflating Anti-Zionism and Anti-Semitism
Letter to the President of USC criticizing her recent message conflating anti-Zionism and anti-Semitism.
Response from UW Chancellor Office to June 3 Letter
University of Wisconsin-Madison Assistant Vice Chancellor responds to June 3 CAF letter about Horowitz Center attack on Samer Alatout.
Letter to the University of Wisconsin protesting the Horowitz Center’s attack on Professor Samer Alatout
Letter to the Chancellor of the University of Wisconsin-Madison protesting the David Horowitz Freedom Center's Scurrilous Attack on Professor Samer Alatout.
Letter to Duke University criticizing the questioning of a student because of her social media posts
Letter to the vice provost/vice president of Duke University criticizing the summoning of a student for questioning over her social media posts.
Disciplinary action against striking international graduate students at UCSC
Letter to the president and executive vice chancellor of UCSC protesting disciplinary action against striking international graduate students.
Protesting Dr. Eyal Weizman’s denial of entry to the US
Letter to U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo regarding the U.S. government’s decision to bar prominent British-Israeli architect Dr. Eyal Weizman from entering the United States. Dr. Weizman had been invited by Miami Dade College’s Museum of Art and Design (MOAD) for the opening of Forensic Architecture’s first major exhibition.
Response from Pitzer President to February 20 letter
Pitzer College President Melvin Oliver responds to February 20 CAF letter regarding allegations of anti-Semitism.
Allegations of anti-Semitism at Pitzer and Pomona colleges
Letter to the presidents of Pitzer and Pomona colleges regarding allegations by the David Horowitz Freedom Center.
DoE investigation of UCLA for alleged discrimination against Jewish students
Letter to the Chancellor of UCLA on the Department of Education's Investigation.
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.
DoE investigation of NYU for alleged discrimination against Jewish students
Letter to the president of NYU regarding the Department of Education's investigation of alleged discrimination against Jewish students
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.
Memo on Public Records Harassment and Defense
This memo offers preliminary guidance for those facing overly broad public records requests, particularly when public records laws are abused for the purposes of harassment and intimidation of scholars or centers for ideological reasons. Please contact [email protected] for more information.
Denial of a US Visa to Hanan Ashrawi
Letter protesting the US government's denial of a visa to Palestinian leader Hanan Ashrawi.
Contract renewal of Thomas Abowd at Tufts University
Letter calling on Tufts University to adhere to accepted standards of equity and transparency with regard to Dr. Thomas Abowd's contract renewal and to uphold the principles of academic freedom.
US denial of entry to Omar Barghouti
Letter to Secretary of State Pompeo protesting the decision to deny Omar Barghouti entry to the U.S.
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.
Florida House Bill conflates criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism
Letter criticizing the definition of anti-Semitism in HB 741, a bill under consideration by the Florida House of Representatives, because it conflates criticism of Israel and Zionism with anti-Semitism, thereby threatening the right to free speech and academic freedom at Florida's institutions of higher education.
ATCA’s Effect on the Right to Education for Palestinian Students
Letter to President Trump, Secretary Pompeo, and Members of the Senate and House of Representatives expressing opposition to the passage of the Anti-Terrorism Clarification Act (ATCA) of 2018, as it results in the denial of the right to education to Palestinian students from the West Bank and Gaza Strip in a MEPI program. CAF calls on Congress and the President to cancel ATCA.
Senators Introduce Revised Israel Anti-Boycott Act
Letter expressing concern over the most recent version of the Israel Anti-Boycott Act (S. 720) which continues to criminalize participation in what it terms “politically motivated” boycotts directed at Israel.
SUNY Collaboration with Turkish Council of Higher Education (YOK)
Letter protesting joint SUNY-YOK discussion.