The American Political Science Association (APSA) is deeply disturbed by recent violations of the basic rights of international scholars in the United States. Over the past few weeks, there have been several reported instances of international students and scholars, legally residing and studying in the U.S., having their legal status threatened or rescinded by U.S. immigration officials. Students have been targeted through the revocation of green cards and visas, arrests, and in some cases, deportation. There are also reported instances of international faculty members working at U.S. institutions or attending academic conferences being denied entry or re-entry to the United States.
These targeted efforts by U.S. immigration officials have not been accompanied by legal justification nor carried out through due process. Rather, they appear to be retribution for participation in organized campus protests or expression of political views. These attacks on international scholars, some of whom are legal permanent U.S. residents, are unacceptable violations of free speech, due process, the rule of law, and academic freedom. Not only do these instances constitute violations of the rights of scholars, but they constitute a vital threat to the future of U.S. higher education and academia. The sharp hostility towards these international scholars signals a concerted effort to chill free expression and assembly on U.S. colleges and university campuses and threatens open inquiry and scholarly exchange.
APSA calls on the administration to immediately guarantee due process to these international scholars and to restore the legal rights of these scholars to reside and study in the U.S. APSA also urges college and university leaders to actively affirm the constitutionally protected rights of freedom of expression, assembly, and dissent on their campuses and to maintain a welcoming environment for international scholars within their institutions.
Taeku Lee
APSA President
Susan Stokes
APSA President-Elect
Mark Warren
APSA Past President
Kimberly A. Mealy
APSA Executive Director