Asiya Siddiqui

I’m Asiya Siddiqui, a writer passionate about telling stories that matter. Whether I’m covering social justice, economic equity, or cultural identity, I aim to spotlight the people and policies shaping our world. With roots in community advocacy and a background shaped by diverse experiences, I write with empathy, curiosity, and a drive to spark change.

My goal is simple: to make complex issues accessible while leaving readers a little more informed and a little more inspired

Featured Work

The Daily Californian • 11th September 2025

Berkeley City Council unanimously passes sanctuary city ordinance

In a unanimous vote Tuesday night, the Berkeley City Council passed a Sanctuary City Ordinance, formally strengthening Berkeley’s protections for undocumented residents.

www.dailycal.org • 3rd September 2025

Trump administration proposes four-year limit on international student visas

A proposed rule from President Donald Trump’s administration could limit how long international students and scholars are permitted to stay in the U.S., according to an Aug. 27 announcement.

The Daily Californian • 28th August 2025

Carrying forward UC Berkeley’s activist DNA

The streets were thick with people. My feet were moving with the tide of strangers, each step pulsing with a mix of urgency and electricity. The June sun burned against my shoulders, and sweat stuck my protest sign to my side, emitting the faint tang of marker ink. I was standing in the heart of San Francisco, wrapped in a crowd of tens of thousands, shouting together, “No kings, no crowns, we will not bow down!”

The Daily Californian • 31st July 2025

Federal loan caps may deter students from pursuing professional degrees

Caps on federal student loans contained in President Donald Trump’s “big, beautiful” bill could deter aspiring lawyers and doctors from earning professional degrees. Borrowers earning a professional degree — including medical or law degrees — may loan up to $50,000 annually and $200,000 over a lifetime.

Muslim American Alliance • 20th June 2025

Trump’s Travel Ban 2.0 - Executive Order 14161

IntroPresident Donald Trump issued Executive Order 14161 in January 2025, titled Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats. This directive allows enhanced vetting and authorizes restrictions or bans on individuals who “threaten our national security”.

Muslim American Alliance • 19th June 2025

Evaluating the ICE Directive and Threats to State Funding

On January 21, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) rescinded a long-standing policy that protected “sensitive locations” from immigration enforcement actions. A new directive, titled 11072.3 Civil Immigration Enforcement Actions Inside Courthouses, permits ICE agents to conduct raids in previously protected areas, such as schools, hospitals, and places of worship.

Muslim American Alliance • 1st May 2025

International Students Deported for Dissent: The Revival of a 1942 Statute

In today’s politically charged, polarized climate, many individuals–from college students to working professionals–are expressing concerns about U.S. foreign policy, particularly in the Middle East.

Muslim Climate Watch • 17th January 2025

The Islamic Charities Battling the LA Fires

On January 7th, a series of unrelenting wildfires erupted across Los Angeles. As the flames burned, a wave of compassion and action rose to meet the challenge—led by organizations like Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA), the Islamic Shura Council of Southern California, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR).

Entire communities were engulfed, homes reduced to ashes, and over 150,000 residents were told to evacuate. In just one week, the estimated damage was 12,000 structures. IRUSA’s Di...