Attorneys brief Alameda County on visa revocations, campus discipline and calls for legal supports

Attorneys who have been working directly with affected students told Alameda County supervisors that recent visa revocations and campus disciplinary actions have created a climate of fear for immigrant students and faculty.

"As of 04/10/2025, 23 students at UC Berkeley alone were affected," said immigration attorney Aliyah Carmali, who described five undergraduates, 10 graduate students and eight recent graduates on optional practical training whose visas were revoked. Carmali said some affected students were too afraid to leave their homes, attend classes or work and that a number of individuals remained in ICE custody after political activity related to Palestine.

Carmali said attorneys and legal workers partnered with community groups — including AROC, Palestinian Youth Movement, the Center for Protest Law and Policy and PAL Legal — to provide free consultations, emergency habeas petitions and temporary injunctions. "We're still meeting, we're still gathering," she said, and recommended continued funding for local hotlines and legal support.

Liz Jackson, a founding staff attorney with Palestine Legal and an Alameda County resident, told supervisors that university conduct systems have been used to punish protest and dissent. "Universities...weaponize the student conduct process and distort discrimination law by accusing protesters of antisemitism," Jackson said, adding that that pattern "tees it up for the Trump Administration" to take enforcement actions.

Jackson recommended that the county: ensure campuses protect freedom of speech and the right to protest; enforce sanctuary policies limiting law‑enforcement intrusion on campuses; defend faculty and students punished for political activity; expand mental‑health crisis support; and elevate funding and statutory concerns to the state level.

Supervisor Fortunato Bass said the county should engage campuses and community colleges to identify and support affected student communities. Supervisor Marquez asked county staff to consider behavioral‑health links and ensure students can access services.

Both attorneys emphasized continued "Know Your Rights" trainings and documenting impacts such as enrollment declines and service avoidance. Carmali noted that, while some federal policy moves were reversed, the legal landscape remains uncertain and local coordination and support must continue.

The committee received the presentations and moved on to its next agenda item; no formal county action or vote on the attorneys’ recommendations was recorded during this meeting.