International students fear midterms won’t help pro-Palestinian activists targeted by Trump

The Trump administration is showing no signs of backing away from its crackdown on international college students as partisan division over support for Palestine heats up ahead of the midterm elections.  

Pro-Palestinian students targeted for immigration enforcement by the administration are on a rollercoaster as anti-Muslim rhetoric ramps up even as Democrats become more vocal in support of their cause. 

“I see a lot of, again, creating panic around Muslims and Islam and Sharia law and ‘Muslims are here to take over and impose their Sharia law’ and all of this nonsense,” said Shaimaa Zayan, operation managers of the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ chapter in Texas, where Republicans have leaned into anti-Muslim messaging.

Meanwhile, Democrats are increasingly willing to temper their support of Israel in favor of drawing attention to the plight of Palestinians.

Darializa Avila Chevalier, who won her New York primary for what is considered a safe Democratic House seat, is an alumna of Columbia University and was previously arrested during a protest for Palestine. 

Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) recently said she wouldn’t listen to Ed Sheeran after Macklemore was kicked off his tour for pro-Palestinian messaging during a concert, adding the situation shows “how just a handful of stadium owners and the elite can prevent discussion of an entire massive issue, in this case, the genocide in Gaza.”

And Michigan Democratic Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed told The New York Times he does not “believe in ethno-states, and I certainly don’t believe that our country is responsible to sustain ethno-states.” 

“We’re seeing politicians who feel like it is really important to include Palestine as part of their campaign, and their supporters are also recognizing the importance of that. And I think it’s just showing how the tides are shifting with what candidates feel like they need to talk about as they seek elections,” said Sabiya Ahamed, a staff attorney at Palestine........

© The Hill