Podcast Summary: The Daily – "ICE on Campus" Release Date: March 31, 2025

Host: Rachel Abrams
Guest: Hamed Aliaziz
Duration: Approximately 28 minutes
Publication: The New York Times

Introduction

In the episode titled "ICE on Campus," Rachel Abrams and her colleague Hamed Aliaziz delve into the escalating issue of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) targeting international students at U.S. universities. This summary encapsulates their comprehensive discussion, highlighting key cases, administrative policies, legal implications, and the broader impact on academic environments and free speech.

Escalation of Immigration Enforcement on Campuses

[00:31] Rachel Abrams initiates the discussion by highlighting a disturbing trend: frequent ICE actions against college students nationwide. She references a viral video showing a Tufts student being detained, setting the stage for a deeper exploration of this phenomenon.

[01:49] Hamed Aliaziz explains the shift from the Trump administration's earlier focus on undocumented immigrants with criminal backgrounds to now targeting those legally residing in the U.S. Highlighting the administration's intensified scrutiny, Aliaziz remarks:

"The Trump administration is looking to target individuals that they believe are spread, that they disagree with, and they believe that are counter to the foreign policy interests of the United States."
— [01:58]

He connects this strategy back to President Trump's campaign rhetoric, emphasizing his intent to "not allow our colleges to be taken over by violent radicals" and his vow to deport international students involved in protests.

Key Cases Highlighting the Crackdown

1. Mahmoud Khalil: A Landmark Case

[03:54] Rachel Abrams introduces Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University student arrested on campus housing in early March.

[04:05] Hamed Aliaziz details Khalil's detention:

"He was arrested under this provision in the immigration law that allows the Secretary of State to deem someone deportable if their continued presence in the United States undermines U.S. foreign policy."
— [06:29]

Despite Khalil holding a green card, ICE detained him citing his protest activities as anti-Semitic, which allegedly contravened U.S. foreign policy interests.

Notable Quote:

"The government has an immense amount of power to remove immigrants from the United States. ... like protest activity on a college campus, could merit deportation."
— Hamed Aliaziz, [07:26]

2. Ranjani Srinivasan: The PhD Student from India

[08:39] Rachel Abrams shifts focus to Ranjani Srinivasan, a PhD student whose student visa was revoked following an ICE visit to her apartment.

[09:00] Hamed Aliaziz recounts Srinivasan's ordeal:

"She had been arrested amongst another group of protesters ... those charges were eventually dropped, so she didn't really make much of a deal of it at the time, and she didn't disclose it on her visa paperwork."
— [10:25]

Facing deportation without clear charges, Srinivasan opted for self-deportation to Canada to avoid ICE detention, illustrating the administration's tactic of inducing fear to encourage voluntary departure.

Notable Quote:

"Self deportation is a major goal of the Trump administration."
— Hamed Aliaziz, [11:59]

3. Yunso Chung: An American-Born Student from Korea

[14:41] Hamed Aliaziz introduces Yunso Chung, a 21-year-old who, despite being born in Korea and raised in the U.S. since age seven, became a target after participating in a campus sit-in.

[15:19] Abrams underscores Chung's deep ties to America, making her case particularly alarming.

[16:17] Aliaziz describes the relentless pursuit by ICE:

"They're using all these various levers of government power to try to locate her, and that's a lot of resources for a government that's incredibly strained for resources."
— [16:17]

Chung's situation challenges the administration's narrative, as she is not a transient visitor but has been part of the American fabric since childhood.

Administrative Policies and Legal Grounds

[06:26] Hamed Aliaziz elaborates on the legal framework used to detain individuals like Khalil:

"The Secretary of State can deem someone deportable, remove them from the United States because they undermine foreign policy interests."
— [06:29]

This provision is unprecedented in its application to peaceful protestors, blurring the lines between free speech and national security threats.

[07:26] Abrams raises concerns about freedom of speech protections for non-citizens, to which Aliaziz responds:

"Non citizens do have the right to freedom of speech under the First Amendment, but the government has an immense amount of power to remove immigrants from the United States."
— [07:26]

The administration's actions suggest a diminution of these protections, leveraging legal ambiguities to target dissenting voices.

Impact on Students and Academic Institutions

[20:52] Rachel Abrams observes the irony that those most compliant with administrative procedures—international students with legal statuses—are now the primary targets for deportation, contrary to those who remain undocumented.

[21:14] Aliaziz points out that universities are ill-prepared and reluctant to counteract ICE actions, especially under pressure from the Trump administration, which has been targeting university funding and practices.

"Previous to the Trump administration, there were actually guidelines in place for ICE to not enforce on campuses."
— [21:14]

This shift creates a hostile environment on campuses, where academic freedom and open discourse are being stifled.

Historical Context and Comparisons

[23:27] Hamed Aliaziz places the current crackdown within a historical continuum of strict immigration enforcement, drawing parallels to post-9/11 policies targeting Muslim immigrants.

"The White House has said that Khalil is aligned with Hamas, a terrorist group, and we've seen them call Srinivasan a terrorist sympathizer."
— [24:44]

This comparison underscores the recurring pattern of conflating activism with terrorism to justify invasive immigration policies.

Future Projections and Potential Outcomes

[25:26] Aliaziz speculates on the trajectory of these policies, suggesting an expansion of deportation efforts and possible denaturalization of U.S. citizens in the future.

"Anything is possible. Right. We saw in the first administration there was an effort to expand denaturalization of US Citizens."
— [25:26]

The ongoing intimidation tactics could lead to increased self-deportation and a significant chilling effect on academic and political expression.

Conclusion

The episode "ICE on Campus" meticulously outlines the Trump administration's intensified immigration crackdown targeting international students, highlighting individual cases that exemplify broader policy shifts. The discussion illuminates the precarious balance between national security and civil liberties, raising critical questions about the future of free speech and academic freedom in the United States.

Key Takeaways:

• Targeting Legal Residents: ICE is increasingly focusing on international students with legal statuses, including green card holders, under broad and ambiguous legal provisions.
• Impact on Free Speech: Peaceful protest activities are being conflated with anti-Americanism or terrorism, challenging constitutional protections for free speech.
• University Response: Academic institutions are underprepared and resistant to counteract ICE actions, prioritizing their own standing over student protections.
• Historical Patterns: The current crackdown mirrors past stringent immigration policies, particularly those following national security crises like 9/11.
• Future Concerns: There is a looming threat of expanded deportation powers and potential denaturalization efforts, fostering a climate of fear and uncertainty among legal immigrants.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Hamed Aliaziz on Administration's Targeting Strategy:
  "The Trump administration is looking to target individuals that they believe are spread, that they disagree with, and they believe that are counter to the foreign policy interests of the United States."
  — [01:58]

• On Freedom of Speech Limitations for Non-Citizens:
  "Non citizens do have the right to freedom of speech under the First Amendment, but the government has an immense amount of power to remove immigrants from the United States."
  — [07:26]

• On Self-Deportation as an Administrative Goal:
  "Self deportation is a major goal of the Trump administration."
  — Hamed Aliaziz, [11:59]

• On ICE's Resource Allocation:
  "They're using all these various levers of government power to try to locate her, and that's a lot of resources for a government that's incredibly strained for resources."
  — [16:17]

• On Future Policy Directions:
  "We saw in the first administration there was an effort to expand denaturalization of US Citizens."
  — [25:26]

This comprehensive overview aims to provide a clear understanding of the critical issues discussed in the "ICE on Campus" episode, offering valuable insights for listeners and stakeholders concerned with immigration policies and their implications on academic communities.