Who is Mahmoud Khalil, Palestinian student activist facing US deportation?

Mahmoud Khalil, a prominent figure in the 2024 Columbia University Gaza war protests, has garnered global attention after the Trump administration arrested and attempted to deport him. This incident has raised questions about freedom of speech on university campuses and the legal procedures for deporting U.S. permanent residents. His case highlights the delicate balance between national security concerns and the protection of constitutional rights.

Following a court hearing on Wednesday, Mr. Khalil will remain detained in Louisiana. Lawyers debated whether he should be transferred back to New York. Khalil, born in Syria, is a graduate of Columbia University. Immigration officials arrested him in connection with President Donald Trump's pledge to crack down on student demonstrators he accused of "pro-American activities." This action underscores the administration's stance against perceived anti-American sentiments within academic institutions.

Trump has repeatedly claimed that pro-Palestinian activists, including Mr. Khalil, support Hamas, which the U.S. designates as a terrorist organization. The president believes these protesters should be deported, calling Mr. Khalil's arrest "the first of many to come." These statements reflect a broader effort to link protest activities with support for terrorism, potentially justifying stricter measures against dissent.

Khalil, 30, his lawyers say, was exercising his right to free speech, demonstrating in support of Palestinians in Gaza and against U.S. support for Israel. They accuse the government of an "outright crackdown on student activism and political speech." The Department of Homeland Security accused Khalil of "leading activities related to Hamas" but has not provided further details. The White House claimed he organized protests that spread pro-Hamas propaganda. His lawyers responded that there is no evidence he provided any form of support to the U.S.-designated terrorist organization. The absence of concrete evidence raises concerns about the justification for his detention.

Some Jewish students at Columbia University said the protests veered into antisemitism, making them feel unsafe on campus. The Columbia Jewish Alumni Association said Khalil "spent well over a year abusing the privileges this country and Columbia University afforded him." The Trump administration recently cut $400 million in funding to the university, citing "continued inaction in the face of persistent harassment of Jewish students." These allegations and actions highlight the complex dynamics of balancing free speech with the need to protect students from harassment and discrimination.

Legal experts say green card holders can be deported for national security reasons but add that the case against Mr. Khalil is unprecedented. Jacob Hamburger, a visiting assistant professor at Cornell Law School, said, "To target an individual protester simply for protesting...is highly unusual, and we didn't see that even in the first Trump administration." The focus on a single protester raises concerns about potential overreach in the application of national security laws.

Mr. Khalil's arrest has sparked demonstrations in New York City, where Columbia University is located. Donna Lieberman, the executive director of the New York Civil Liberties Union, called the attempt to deport Mr. Khalil "targeted retaliation and an extreme assault on the First Amendment." New York State Attorney General Letitia James said she was "deeply concerned." These reactions underscore the broader implications of the case for civil liberties and freedom of expression.

The American Civil Liberties Union called the arrest "unprecedented" and "clearly intended to chill and suppress one side of a public debate." They stated, "The federal government is claiming the power to deport people with deep ties to the United States and revoke their green cards because they are advocating positions the government opposes." The White House continued to defend the move. Trump's press secretary, Caroline Leavitt, said, "This administration will not tolerate people who are fortunate enough to study in our country and then side with pro-terrorist organizations that murder Americans." This stance reflects a firm commitment to combating perceived threats to national security, even at the expense of individual rights.