Consider This from NPR Campus protesters have faced deportation threats before
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Mar 26, 2025 
David Cole, former lawyer for the Los Angeles Eight and current National Legal Director for the ACLU, shares fascinating insights about the legal threats faced by student activists. He explores the historical context of the LA-8 arrests and draws parallels to recent deportation threats against two Columbia University students. The discussion sheds light on how these situations reflect broader government attempts to suppress political speech on campuses. Cole emphasizes the chilling effect such actions have on free expression and the vital importance of protecting First Amendment rights.
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The LA 8
- In 1987, eight Palestinian immigrants, mostly students in LA, were arrested for pro-Palestinian activism.
- This group, known as the LA 8, faced deportation despite having legal status.
20-Year Legal Battle
- David Cole, the LA 8's lawyer, describes their 20-year legal battle.
- The government attempted to use secret evidence, and the LA 8 couldn't leave the country.
First Amendment Protection for All
- The current targeting of Palestinian students for campus activism mirrors the LA 8 case.
- The First Amendment protects everyone in the U.S., regardless of citizenship status.