95bFM Auckland academic raises concerns over her US visit
17 February, 2026
Interview by Toby West, Adapted by Vihan Dalal
University of Auckland academic Maria Armoudian is worried about her visit to the US as the Trump administration cracks down on activists and academics. Immigration authorities have also tightened immigration enforcement by turning academics away from the border.
A senior academic at the University of Auckland has expressed concerns over her visit to the United States.
Associate Professor of Politics and International Relations Dr Maria Armoudian has frequently criticised the Trump administration for its authoritarian style of governance.
Armoudian told 95bFM’s The Wire that although she isn’t as high profile as others like the Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, whose Democrat government in the state has been accused of allowing fraud by local non-profits, she has expressed her worries over the trip to her homeland.
“I put on public events, and I feel like it's part of my duty really to talk about the things that run against the norms that we have held for so long that we've held dear for so long for humanity, including human rights, including free speech that is not harmful speech.”
“But all of those things are now under threat. I think going into the country next time I go, which could be very soon, could be a problem.”
Armoudian says scholars have had their phones confiscated by US authorities and been turned away from the border for being critical of the Trump administration. She also recalls an incident when she was detained by authorities as a sitting Environmental Commissioner for Los Angeles.
“So it just tells you that these things could only escalate under somebody like Donald Trump.”
Civilians from New Zealand have also been detained by the Trump administration, as was the case of Sarah Shaw and her son, who were detained by US authorities in Texas. More recently, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade has warned New Zealanders of increased scrutiny by authorities when entering the US.
Armoudian has described the polarisation of the political landscape in her country as unprecedented, especially after the shooting of Renee Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents in Minneapolis.
“But some people can watch that video and say, this is unbelievable. This could happen on the streets of Minneapolis, while other people say, well, she was trying to drive over an agent. And it's really difficult to make the bridge to the second one if you actually watch the video.”
Donald Trump issued a presidential memorandum last year which ordered countering domestic violence and terrorism. Armoudian says the directive has resulted in the targeting of activists and non-profits, as well as Minnesota's former House of Representatives Speaker, Melissa Hortman. By labelling his political opponents as terrorists, Trump can limit their right to free speech and strip them of legal protections.
Armoudian says Donald Trump’s social media activity has been instrumental in fostering violence against minorities. A study from 2023 has also shown a correlation between hate against minorities and Donald Trump’s posts on social media platforms like Twitter.
“So, it's not crazy to think that some people are accepting this framing and believing that their fellow Americans are what he might call domestic terrorists or enemies of the people.”
