Mahmoud Khalil, a 30-year-old green card holder and activist at Columbia University, was arrested by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) on March 8th. He is facing possible deportation over his alleged support for Hamas.
In a letter released by his attorneys, Khalil characterized his arrest as "indicative of anti-Palestinian racism." He also blamed Columbia's administration, including former university President Minouche Shafik, for failing to adequately respond to allegations of antisemitic behavior from activists on campus.
Khalil played a major role in the anti-Israel protests at Columbia and is fighting against his deportation in the courts. A judge temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting him and ordered his case to be heard in New Jersey, not Louisiana.
In his letter, Khalil wrote that his arrest was both a direct affront to his First Amendment rights and a broader attempt by the Trump administration to "suppress dissent." He called on students, activists, and elected officials to "unite to defend the right to protest for Palestine.
5 Comments
Matzomaster
This Mahmoud Khalil sounds like a real troublemaker. Deporting him would be a good riddance.
Karamba
I hope this is the beginning of a crackdown on all those who support terrorism.
Rotfront
Columbia University should be ashamed of themselves for supporting this individual.
Karamba
It's clear that the Trump administration is using this case to target Palestinian activists and suppress their voices.
Rotfront
This is just another attempt by the radical left to undermine our country.