See: www.adc.org Slightly edited:
1. .Sent out the evening of March 7th:
ADC Issues Travel Advisory
ADC Issues Travel Advisory |
Urgent Community Advisory: Impending Arab, Muslim Ban
There has been recent reporting that the Trump Administration will finalize the latest version of their Arab, Muslim Travel Ban - this may happen as soon as Tuesday March 11, 2025. While no travel ban is yet in effect, it is important to take precautionary steps to protect yourself. More details about the ban’s impact will become available when the Trump Administration releases the details and associated procedures.
Preliminary reports indicate that the newest version of the upcoming ban may include the following countries:
Afghanistan, Haiti, Iraq, Iran, Libya, Palestine/Gaza, Pakistan, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Venezuela, Yemen, and/or additional countries.
Additionally, there may be inclusion of Caribbean Nations. |
Avoid International Travel & Return to the U.S. Immediately
If you are from one of these countries and are present in the United States, whether with a green card (lawful permanent residency status) or a valid visa, ADC strongly advises avoiding international travel. If international travel is unavoidable, consult with an immigration attorney as soon as possible.
If you are from one of these countries, have a valid visa, and are not present in the United States, we advise seeking entry into the United States as soon as possible before the Travel Ban is implemented. If such travel is impossible, more information will become available when the regulations and procedures associated with the ban are released. Consult with an immigration attorney as soon as possible.
This is a developing situation. We are following it closely and will provide additional details and guidance as they become available. The administration continues to make sudden decisions and we remain committed to relaying information as soon as we receive it.
Earlier this year ADC launched a 24/7 Legal Intake Hotline, which can be reached at 844-ADC-9955. Please call the hotline if you need further assistance. |
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If you are an attorney who is interested in volunteering your time and providing legal support to students, please submit your information here.
The ADC Legal Department is available to provide private know your rights sessions, and consultations to student groups. If you are a student group interested in learning more, please send an email to legal[at adc org] |
2. Sent out the evening of March 6th
Breaking: ADC Condemns New AI-Driven Attack on International Students
Breaking: ADC Condemns New AI-Driven Attack on International Students |
The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) warns of a dangerous new front in the Trump administration’s multi-pronged assault on First Amendment rights, with foreign students bearing the brunt of increasingly aggressive surveillance tactics. As reported by Marc Caputo at Axios, the U.S. State Department is deploying “Catch and Revoke” an artificial intelligence-fueled “Catch and Revoke” effort to identify and review Pro-Palestine activity of foreign students in the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS). Students targeted by the program run the likelihood of having their student visa status revoked, leading to their removal from the country.
ADC is deeply concerned that these developments signal an alarming erosion of constitutionally protected free speech and privacy rights.
“This should concern all Americans. This is a First Amendment and freedom of speech issue and the administration will overplay its hand,” said ADC National Executive Director Abed Ayoub in the Axios report. “Americans won’t like this. They’ll view this as capitulating free speech rights for a foreign nation.”
By employing AI to track and flag individuals for potential visa revocation and/or deportation, the administration is effectively criminalizing peaceful political expression and dissent. Not since the aftermath of 9/11 has such wide-scale surveillance been directed at non-citizen communities, and the reliance on AI tools only magnifies the likelihood of errors, misidentifications, and abuses of discretion. This raises profound questions about privacy and constitutional protections—who is controlling this data, how is it being used, and where is the human oversight?
ADC is alarmed by the prospects of pro-Palestine students being labeled as “national security threats,” given the dangerous precedent such claims set for indefinite detention or potential deportation without due process. The risk is even more dire for stateless Palestinians who, if swept up in these draconian measures, may have nowhere to go—or worse, could end up in extrajudicial detention facilities such as Guantánamo.
Recent threats of deportation, visa cancellations, and federal defunding for “illegal” protests severely undercut constitutionally protected free speech. Days ago, President Trump claimed he was “bringing freedom of speech back to America,” yet his administration is silencing students and placing foreign nationals under unprecedented scrutiny simply for denouncing a genocide that has horrified the global community.
The ADC reminds the Trump administration and all concerned officials that these students are not threats to national security; they are exercising their First Amendment rights. We call on educational institutions to protect academic freedoms and stand firm against intrusive surveillance measures that betray the fundamental values of our democracy.
At the same time, we urge foreign students to remain vigilant while on campus. If students need direct assistance or advice please email the ADC Legal Department to legal[at adc org].
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3. Sent out in mid-afternoon March 6th:
House votes to censure Rep. Al Green
ADC Statement on the Censure of Rep. Al Green and Trump's first Address to Congress |
TODAY: The Republican-led House voted 224 - 198 to censure Representative Al Green (D-Texas) after he spoke out against President Trump at his joint Address to Congress on Tuesday. 10 Democrats joined in on the vote against Rep. Green, claiming that his actions were a “breach of proper conduct”. This should come as no surprise – in 2023, the House voted to censure Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI) for her criticisms of Israel.
On Tuesday, President Trump reiterated that since starting his second term, freedom of speech is “back”. Today, Members of Congress on both sides of the aisle have made it clear that any form of criticism – whether domestic or foreign – must be contained.
Let your Congressperson know that censorship is not an American value – freedom of speech is. Click the button below to send them a letter and hold them accountable for the censorship that took place today. |
Did you tune in to President Trump’s first Address to Congress on Tuesday?
President Trump addressed Members of Congress – and the overall country – at the longest joint session of Congress at a whopping 1 hour and 40 minutes. From Rep. Al Green’s forced removal, Trump’s continued support of Elon Musk, and his commitment to stricter border security, ADC has broken down key takeaways from Tuesday night so you don’t have to watch:
First Amendment Rights:
“I’ve stopped all government censorship and brought back free speech in America,” Trump said. “It’s back.”
On his first day in office, President Trump signed an Executive Order that allows the government to deny approval of visa applicants (or current visa holders) based on if their opinion of current U.S policies bears a hostile attitude. This EO threatens freedom of speech – particularly for visa applicants who express pro-Palestinian sentiment and call out the America’s complicit role in the genocide of Gazans. Visa holders on college campuses who partook in pro-Palestine encampments and protests have already been impacted by this Executive Order. Denying visa applicants or deporting anyone who engages in lawful protest and freedom of speech is not bringing back duly given First Amendment protections.
Fix the Budget:
"We found hundreds of billions of dollars of fraud," President Trump said. "We've taken back the money and reduced our debt to fight inflation and other things."
Since starting his second term, President Trump has fired thousands of government employees under the guise of gutting government inefficiency via the newly formed DOGE. He claimed that the federal bureaucracy has crushed our freedoms and ballooned our deficits. On Tuesday, Trump made a bold statement when he said he wanted to balance the federal budget for the first time in 24 years. For years, ADC has long said that one of the most effective ways to reduce our national debt is via reducing military spending. In his first term, President Trump set historic highs for military funding. He now has the opportunity to end unnecessary military funding that has historically caused instability and humanitarian crises worldwide.
Where was Gaza?
Although this speech was lengthy, there was no mention of Gaza. On Monday, the ceasefire reached an impasse with fears of a return to fighting looming. In his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last month, President Trump touted the idea of the U.S. taking ownership of Gaza and rebuilding the land. "Level the site, and get rid of the destroyed buildings. Level it out, create an economic development."
During his Address to Congress, President Trump continued to press income tax cuts across the board – but if the U.S. were to further involve itself in the Israeli occupation, the American economy would suffer. Since taking office in January, President Trump’s administration has approved and sent nearly $12 billion in major arms sales to Israel. The disregard for Gaza during his speech is reflective of the continuous refusal to call it a genocide.
ADC remains committed to closely tracking the actions of the current Trump administration and delivering information to our membership. Subscribe to our emails and follow us on social media to stay informed and up to date! |
If you are an attorney who is interested in volunteering your time and providing legal support to students, please submit your information here.
The ADC Legal Department is available to provide private know your rights sessions, and consultations to student groups. If you are a student group interested in learning more, please send an email to legal[at adc org] |
4. Sent out around mid-day on March 4th:
Tell your Senators: Oppose the IHRA Antisemitism Act Now!
ADC Opposes the IHRA Antisemitism Awareness Act in the Senate |
Last month, Senators Katie Britt (R-Ala.), Tim Scott (R-SC.), and Jacky Rosen (D-NV.), officially introduced the IHRA Antisemitism Awareness Act in the Senate. The bill promotes the adoption of the International Holocaust Alliance (IHRA) definition of antisemitism. The IHRA definition of antisemitism seeks to broadly define antisemitism within federal law. While the stated goal is to address discrimination and prejudice against Jewish communities, the bill’s expansive and ambiguous language has raised concerns. |
In April 2023, 60 human rights and other civil society groups wrote a letter to the United Nations (UN) urging the UN not to adopt the IHRA definition to address antisemitism and respect human rights in the fight against antisemitism. Noteworthy criticisms include a lack of a clear and precise definition of antisemitism in the legislation that can open the door to conflate valid criticisms of the Israeli government’s actions and its occupation of Palestinian territories with anti-semitic intent. This conflation risks suppressing legitimate advocacy for Palestinian rights and undermines free speech, potentially labeling principled opposition to policies of the Israeli government as discriminatory.
Click the button below to contact your Senators today and let them know to vote NO on the Antisemitism Awareness Act. |
If you are an attorney who is interested in volunteering your time and providing legal support to students, please submit your information here.
The ADC Legal Department is available to provide private know your rights sessions, and consultations to student groups. If you are a student group interested in learning more, please send an email to legal[at adc org] |
5. Sent out in mid-afternoon on February 28th:
Breaking: Justice for Wadee AlFayoumi - Czuba found guilty on murder, hate crimes charges
Breaking: Justice for Wadee AlFayoumi - Czuba found guilty on murder, hate crimes charges |
Washington, D.C. | The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) welcomes the guilty verdict on charges of first-degree murder and hate crimes against Joseph Czuba, who murdered six-year-old Palestinian American child, Wadee Al-Fayoumi, and attempted to kill his mother, Ms. Hanan Shaheen.We thank the jury, the judge, and all who helped achieve this measure of justice. This hateful and racist crime demanded a decisive response, and the verdict sends a strong message: hate-driven violence against Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslims will not stand.
ADC National Executive Director, Abed Ayoub, said:
ADC thanks the Chicago Area Arab and Muslim community, including our partners at CAIR-Chicago for their efforts around this case. We also thank Attorney Ben Crump, of the Ben Crump Law Firm, and John Simon of The Simon Law Firm for serving as co-counsel alongside ADC in representing Ms. Shaheen in her civil suit. Because of these collective efforts justice was delivered today.
ADC warns that the surge of anti-Palestinian, anti-Arab, and anti-Muslim rhetoric will lead to more hate crimes targeting the respective communities. Misinformation and hateful propaganda against Arabs and Muslims continues to create an environment that fuels these attacks. We hold agitators accountable for promoting false narratives about Palestinians and stoking such hostility.
If you or someone you know has faced a hate crime, reach out to us at legal[at adc org]. We will continue to defend our community and fight all forms of hatred. |
6. Sent out in the afternoon on February 25th:
ADC Statement on Trial for Wadee Fayoume
Statement from the American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) on the Start of the Murder Trial of Joseph Czuba for the Killing of Wadee AlFayoumi |
On October 14, 2023, Wadee al-Fayoumi, a six-year-old Palestinian American child, was murdered when he was stabbed 26 times in his home by Joseph Czuba in Plainfield Township, Illinois. Wadee’s mother, Hanaan Shaheen, suffered severe wounds during this horrific hate crime as well. His tragic murder occurred a week after the start of the ongoing genocide in Gaza, and is reflective of the continuous discrimination against Arabs, Palestinians, and Muslims since. ADC extends its condolences to the family of Wadea and the greater Chicago Arab-American community, who have continued to mourn this loss well over a year later.
ADC reaffirms its unshakeable commitment to attain justice for Wadee and his family. We are proud to co-counsel with Attorney Ben Crump and the Ben Crump Law Firm, John Simon of The Simon Law Firm, representing Wadee’s mother. Together, we released the following:
“As the trial begins, Hanan Shaheen continues the unimaginable fight for justice for Wadee. No mother should have to endure such a violent attack and the unimaginable loss of her young son. Despite the grief and heartbreak, Hanan continues to pray for accountability and fairness in this process. We have confidence in the prosecution’s efforts to earn justice for Wadee and Hanan. We ask the media to respect Hanan’s privacy throughout this trial, as she focuses on honoring her son’s memory and getting him the justice he deserves.”
Today, the fight for Wadee’s justice persists: the trial against Joseph Czuba has begun. Czuba faces five different charges, including two on hate crime accounts; if convicted, he faces up to life in prison. This trial comes at a critical time – hate crimes targeting Palestinians, Arabs, and Muslim Americans continue to rise, and our justice system must send a clear message: such violence has no place in our society. Holding dangerous, violent criminals like Joseph Czuba accountable under the rule of law ensures that every citizen—regardless of race, class, or creed—can feel safe in their home and protected by our nation’s laws.
In honor of Wadee’s young life—and of the countless others harmed by hatred—we call on everyone to stand united against hate and to reaffirm the foundational principles of equality and respect that define our nation. We have confidence in the prosecution’s commitment to secure accountability for Wadee and Ms. Shaheen, and we respectfully ask the media to protect Ms. Shaheen’s privacy as she focuses on honoring her son’s memory and seeking the justice he deserves. |
If you are an attorney who is interested in volunteering your time and providing legal support to students, please submit your information here.
The ADC Legal Department is available to provide private know your rights sessions, and consultations to student groups. If you are a student group interested in learning more, please send an email to legal[at adc org] |
About ADC The American-Arab Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) is the largest Arab American grassroots organization in the U.S., founded in 1980 by former Senator James Abourezk. ADC’s mission is to defend and promote the human rights, civil rights, and liberties of at least 3.7 million Arab Americans residing in the United States. Through its work, ADC fights discrimination in the U.S., enhances public understanding of Arab history and culture, and partners with marginalized communities globally to advance social justice.
Our work is not possible without your support. Consider making a contribution to ADC today. |
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