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2mo ago

Arrest of Columbia Activist Mahmoud Khalil Sparks Debate Over Free Speech and National Security

The Trump administration defends its decision to revoke Khalil's visa and green card, citing alleged ties to Hamas, while critics argue it threatens constitutional rights.

Ranjani Srinivasan, an international student from India at Columbia University, who fled the United States after her student visa was revoked.
Columbia University student Mahmoud Khalil, center, during a protest in June 2024.
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Overview

  • Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born Palestinian refugee and Columbia University graduate, was arrested on March 8 by ICE and is detained in Louisiana, facing deportation.
  • The U.S. State Department revoked Khalil's green card and visa, citing alleged activities aligned with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization, though no direct evidence has been provided.
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that visa holders must adhere to U.S. laws and policies, asserting that Khalil's involvement in campus protests, including vandalism, violated his terms of stay.
  • Critics, including the ACLU and civil rights advocates, argue Khalil's detention is a violation of First Amendment rights and a dangerous precedent for suppressing political dissent.
  • A federal judge has temporarily blocked Khalil's deportation, and his legal team is challenging the case, highlighting concerns over due process and the weaponization of immigration laws.