1. United States
2. Calif.
3. Letter

I’m writing to urge you to speak out against the unlawful detainment not only of Venezuelans but also the rise of ICE going after students on green cards, visas, and other legal immigrants. As an American Jew, I am not scared of those protesting on behalf of Gaza. I am scared of my government taking away the right to protest and speak out freely. Just today nasked agents ambushed Tufts graduate student Rumeysa Ozturk and detained her somewhere unknown. Why? Because she wrote an op-ed in her student paper. Curbing the rights of citizens and legal visitors is purposefully trying to intimidate critics and undermine our democracy. As a citizen, I should have the right to freely and peacefully protest without worrying about agents interrogating me at the border or impinging on my right to live in the US. Regardless of shared political beliefs or not for what is happening in the Middle East, we should be able to agree that the right to protest. To speak out with different opinions is enshrined in our legal system, one which this administration is breaking willfully and eagerly. I call on you to subpoena the Trump administration officials responsible for these deportations, investigate the unlawful detainment of innocent immigrants, and hold the Trump administration accountable for their defiance of federal court orders.