The Committee expresses concern over Union College’s possible termination of Professor Leila Khatami, reportedly based on her family background rather than her professional conduct. Such an action would contradict American values and academic freedom, as the United States does not punish individuals for the actions or identities of their ... Continue Reading>>
Physician Professor, daughter of Iranian politician, terminated by Emory University
Professor Fatemah Ardeshir-Larijani, was terminated by Emory University allegedly based on her family ties to a prominent Iranian politician. The CCS urges Emory to correct this injustice by reinstating her, affirming that in the United States individuals should not be punished for the actions or status of their ... Continue Reading>>
Indiana University professors terminated without due process
Two professors at Indiana University were terminated without due process. Their homes were also raided. Although there was a sealed warrant, it is the understanding of CCS that the termination of the professors did not follow university policies. Read more on Wired Read more on Indiana Daily Student ... Continue Reading>>
Harvard Medical School researcher detained by ICE
Harvard Medical School researcher Kseniia Petrova, on a J-1 visa, was arrested by CBP and transferred to an ICE detention center in Louisiana. The grounds are that this was due to an undeclared item at the airport, which her research adviser had requested, and for which, at most, a $500 fine is appropriate, as her lawyer has stated. She remains imprisoned, amounting to a violation of her habeas ... Continue Reading>>
Georgetown postdoc detained by ICE on no charges
Georgetown postdoctoral researcher Badar Khan Suri, currently on a J-1 visa and married to a U.S. citizen, was arrested on March 17th at his home and was transferred to an ICE detention center in Louisiana. No charges have been brought forth against him, and he remains imprisoned, amounting to a violation of his human rights. ... Continue Reading>>
Columbia University graduate and Permanent Legal Resident detained by ICE without being charged with an offense
Recent Columbia University graduate and Permanent Legal Resident of the USA, Mahmoud Khalil, was arrested on March 8th in New York City and transferred to an ICE detention center in Louisiana. It is not alleged that his actions would have been unlawful had he been a US citizen, so it seems his status as a (legal) immigrant is being used as a condition for is prosecution. This amounts to unequal ... Continue Reading>>
Tenured Professor Suspended for Expressing Views about the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict
Dr. Maura Finkelstein, Associate Professor of Anthropology at Muhlenberg College, was recently suspended following controversial social media posts and allegations of misconduct relating to her behavior in the classroom. The Committee is concerned this extreme action of stripping tenure from a faculty member for their political views threatens academic freedom everywhere and asks the College to ... Continue Reading>>
Johns Hopkins University Suspends Director of Pediatric Cardiac Critical Care at the School of Medicine Over Social Media Posts Prompted by the October 7 Massacre in Israel.
Dr. Darren Klugman, director of pediatric cardiac critical care at Johns Hopkins was suspended for his strongly-worded criticism on social media of the Palestinian attitude toward Israel following the October 7 massacre by ... Continue Reading>>
United States denies visa to Afghan scholarship recipient
A nineteen-year-old Afghan student was twice denied an American visa despite admission to an American university alongside a scholarship covering all her expenses. When questioned about the reason for the denial, a spokesperson for the U.S. Department of State cited the Immigration and Nationality Act, which includes a requirement to prove one’s intention to leave the U.S. following the expiration ... Continue Reading>>
Chinese American researchers targeted at US border
Several Chinese American researchers have reported being stopped and questioned upon reentering the United States. Additionally, articles describe a disproportionate number of Chinese scientists being profiled, harassed, and interrogated without just cause. The Committee is concerned by these reports and urges the U.S. government to provide further antibias training to border ... Continue Reading>>