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I believe the present administration is terrorizing free speech on college campuses and elsewhere, especially targeting immigrants attempting to advocate for basic human rights.
Lawful permanent residents in the United States have a constitutional right to criticize the government. This is protected by the First Amendment, which guarantees freedom of speech to all the people in the United States, including noncitizens.
They can: express opinions about government policies; participate in protests and demonstrations; write letters to officials or newspapers; join advocacy organizations; and engage in public discourse about political issues.
These are not only rights, they are the duty of every law-abiding citizen and immigrant. Dissent is the foundation of a healthy democracy; complacency is dangerous to the very core of democracy.
If we do not actively participate in the democratic process, authoritarians and vested interests will destroy our very foundations. Thus, current events demand urgent attention.
Birendra Singh Huja
Waialae Iki
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