Syrian Activist Faces Deportation as Legal and Free Speech Debate Intensifies

The Trump administration cites immigration law for Mahmoud Khalil’s deportation, while critics allege retaliation for his pro-Palestinian activism at Columbia University.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian immigrant and lawful permanent U.S. resident, is detained and faces deportation under immigration law that does not require criminal convictions.
Critics claim Khalil's deportation is a response to his prominent role in pro-Palestinian activism, including his leadership in Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD).
The Trump administration defends its actions as legally justified, dismissing allegations of First Amendment violations.
Khalil has attempted to distance himself from CUAD, but his past leadership and involvement in protests are well-documented.
The case has drawn significant public and political backlash, with advocates framing it as a broader issue of free speech and government overreach.