To the editor of the Royal Purple:
We must protect freedom of speech and the right to due process as guaranteed by the US Constitution for all persons, regardless of citizenship status. These protections apply to Kilmar Abrego García, but also to all immigrants who were arrested and deported to El Salvador without due process. These protections apply to Rümeysa Öztürk, Mahmoud Khalil, and others imprisoned for expressing political positions unpopular with the current administration. The protection of the law, including the right to due process, must hold for all persons.
Kilmar Abrego Garcia was in the country legally. He applied for asylum, and the court determined he could remain because of a credible threat to his safety. The Trump administration admitted he was deported in error. The Supreme Court on April 10, 2025 said the US was properly required “to ‘facilitate’ Abrego Garcia’s release from custody in El Salvador and to ensure that his case is handled as it would have been had he not been improperly sent to El Salvador.”
Rümeysa Öztürk and Mahmoud Khalil, are being detained for speaking out against the violence inflicted by the state of Israel against the Palestinian people. They have not been charged with any criminal activity. They are being detained for expressing support for the Palestinian people. In a statement released on April 2, 2025, Tufts University responds to the characterization of Öztürk’s opinion piece published in the university newspaper: “The University maintains that the op-ed was consistent with speech permitted by the Declaration on Freedom of Expression adopted by our trustees on November 7, 2009.” In support of Khalil, a graduate of Columbia University, the Columbia School of Journalism issued a statement that included support for the right to freedom of speech: “One does not have to agree with the political opinions of any particular individual to understand that these threats cut to the core of what it means to live in a pluralistic democracy.” (March 14, 2025)
Around the country and here in Wisconsin, the actions and speech of protestors demonstrating in support of Palestinian people have been characterized as antisemitic. This is a distortion of that term. Criticism and condemnation of the actions of the state of Israel is not an attack on Jewish people in Israel or world wide. Nor is it condoning violence against Jewish people. Antisemitic speech and attacks are increasing. We must speak out against such attacks. We also need to be clear that criticism of Israel is not antisemitism.
The treatment of these two groups of immigrants is connected. We must stand up and speak out to defend freedom of speech and the right to due process for all persons present in the United States.