Trump Administration Faces Backlash Over Mahmoud Khalil Deportation Case

The detention of a Palestinian Columbia graduate and activist raises concerns about free speech, national security, and the rights of green-card holders in the U.S.

Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian green-card holder and Columbia University graduate, was arrested by ICE on March 8, with the Trump administration citing national security concerns tied to his pro-Palestinian activism.
The administration is leveraging a rarely used Cold War-era provision of the Immigration and Nationality Act to justify his deportation, which critics argue threatens First Amendment protections.
A federal judge has temporarily blocked Khalil's deportation, while legal proceedings and protests against the administration's actions continue to escalate.
The Trump administration has signaled plans to expand similar actions against other activists, raising fears among green-card holders and international students about their rights and immigration status.
The use of AI-driven surveillance to monitor social media for dissenting views has drawn criticism for its potential to suppress political speech and erode privacy protections.