CSU Must Protect Students and Faculty from ICE Overreach
In a troubling development, at least 70 international students across the California State University (CSU) system have had their visas revoked (as of yesterday) without warning, including several at Sacramento State. The CSU administration has confirmed that as of April 7, 2025, these revocations have occurred, leaving students in a state of uncertainty and fear.
This incident is part of a broader pattern of federal overreach that threatens the safety and academic freedom of our campus communities. The University of California (UC) system recently complied with a federal subpoena, releasing personal information of approximately 900 faculty members who had signed open letters regarding the university’s response to international events. This action has raised serious concerns about privacy and the potential for academic freedom to be undermined.
In response to these challenges, Senate Bill 98 (SB 98) has been introduced, aiming to require educational institutions, including CSU campuses, to notify students, faculty, and staff when federal immigration enforcement agents are present on campus. This bill seeks to ensure transparency and protect the rights of all campus community members.
CFA members firmly oppose any actions that compromise the safety and rights of our students and faculty. We refuse to let the CSU system become a place where federal overreach goes unchecked, and where the principles of academic freedom and personal privacy are not upheld.
As Khalil Ferguson aptly stated on behalf of the CFA, “The CSU must not be complicit in systems that endanger the very people we are supposed to protect.” We echo this sentiment and call upon CSU leadership to take a definitive stand against federal intimidation.
The CSU should be a national leader in defending public education and human dignity. We urge the administration to adopt policies that ensure student and faculty data is protected and never shared with federal agencies without legal obligation and full community transparency. When subpoenas arrive or agents appear, our campus communities must be informed, not left in the dark.
We know what happens when we stay silent. The time to act is now.
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