Statement Celebrating Judge Ordering Release of CFA Member, CSU Professor Dr. Jonathan Caravello

The California Faculty Association (CFA) is celebrating the release of Jonathan A. Caravello, Ph.D., a CFA member and respected educator and activist at California State University Channel Islands, after they were abducted by federal authorities on Thursday, July 10 in Camarillo while exercising their constitutional right to protest peacefully.  

A judge this afternoon ordered the release of Dr. Caravello from the Los Angeles Metropolitan Detention Center.  

“Professor Caravello’s freedom is the result of collective action. Faculty, students, labor unions, and immigrant rights advocates across the country stood together to demand justice, and today we see the power of solidarity” said Margarita Berta-Ávila, CFA President and Sacramento State professor. “Jonathan is a deeply committed educator and mentor who showed up for their students and immigrant communities—and for that, they were targeted. Their release sends a powerful message: when we organize and raise our voices together, we win. We are in this fight, and will not stop until no one is criminalized for speaking out against injustices.” 

Dr. Caravello’s abduction by immigration officials last week was a clear violation of their right to free speech and an attempt to terrorize union members and educators who speak out against injustice in their communities. CFA members continue to demand the immediate release of all who were arrested and continue to be held in federal custody, and we affirm our commitment to showing up for our immigrant communities to protect against the invasion of ICE, Department of Homeland Security, National Guard and local law enforcement.