Republican Leaders Back Deportation of Pro-Hamas Activist Mahmoud Khalil

The arrest of Syrian national Mahmoud Khalil for organizing pro-Hamas protests has sparked partisan debate over national security and free speech.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian national and former Columbia University student, was arrested by ICE for organizing pro-Hamas and anti-American protests.
Republican leaders, including Senator Ted Cruz, support Khalil’s deportation, citing national security concerns and his alleged ties to a designated terrorist organization.
Khalil entered the U.S. on a student visa in 2022 and later obtained a green card through marriage to an American citizen.
Democrats have expressed support for Khalil, framing his detention as a free speech issue, while Republicans argue that non-citizens do not have the right to undermine U.S. values.
The Trump administration has indicated that further arrests of individuals involved in similar activities on college campuses may follow.