1. United States
2. Ore.
3. Letter

I am writing as a concerned Oregon resident regarding the troubling arrest of Mahmoud Khalil, a green-card holder and student at Columbia University, along with reported intimidation of his U.S. citizen wife, apparently in response to their participation in constitutionally protected political protests. This incident raises serious questions about the protection of First Amendment rights on college campuses across our nation. As a state with numerous prestigious universities and colleges where students regularly engage in political and social activism, Oregon has a responsibility to ensure that our students are protected from similar potential civil rights violations. I am deeply concerned about how Oregon would respond to comparable situations and would like to know: What specific protections exist in Oregon law to prevent the detention of students for engaging in constitutionally protected political expression? What steps are you and other state officials prepared to take to shield Oregon students from potential federal overreach regarding peaceful political activities? Would Oregon state authorities refuse to cooperate with federal agencies in cases where students are targeted solely for exercising their First Amendment rights? What emergency response protocols are in place to address situations where an Oregon student might face detention or legal consequences for protected speech activities? What legislative measures could be introduced or strengthened to better protect the civil liberties of students at Oregon's educational institutions? The protection of constitutional rights should transcend partisan politics. Our state has a proud tradition of political engagement and free expression, and I believe we must be proactive in defending these values. I look forward to hearing your specific plan to ensure that Oregon students can engage in political discourse without fear of unwarranted detention or intimidation.