The Biden-era policies on immigration and protest surveillance are undergoing a sharp reversal under President Donald Trump, as his administration ramps up efforts to detain and deport foreign nationals deemed sympathetic to Hamas.
The first of these arrests occurred last week when Mahmoud Khalil, a pro-Palestinian activist and Columbia University alumnus, was taken into custody by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
Trump hailed the arrest as a milestone in his administration’s efforts to crack down on ‘radical foreign pro-Hamas students’ and warned that Khalil’s detention would be ‘the first of many.’
The move has sparked outrage among civil rights groups, legal scholars, and free speech advocates, who argue that the administration is using immigration laws as a tool to suppress political dissent.
Who is Mahmoud Khalil, and Why Was He Arrested?
Khalil, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., was arrested at his university-owned apartment in New York City by ICE agents. The initial justification for his arrest was visa revocation, though his attorney, Amy Greer, refuted this claim, clarifying that Khalil holds a valid green card.
According to ICE’s official statement, Khalil was detained under an executive directive aimed at identifying and removing foreign nationals who “engage in activities that threaten national security.” While no specific charges related to criminal activity or direct links to terrorism have been made public, the Trump administration has framed his pro-Palestinian activism as justification for his arrest.
For further details on U.S. immigration policies, visit U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Trump’s Crackdown: More Arrests Coming?
In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that the U.S. government would continue to identify and deport ‘pro-Hamas sympathizers’. He highlighted a new AI-driven surveillance program that monitors social media for expressions of support for Palestinian resistance groups.
“This is just the beginning. Anyone in our country who supports Hamas, directly or indirectly, should not be here,” Trump declared.
The new policy has raised significant legal and ethical concerns, particularly among human rights organizations and civil liberties groups. Critics argue that free speech rights are at risk, and the broad use of immigration laws to target non-citizens engaging in political activism could set a dangerous precedent.
For more on legal rights and protections, visit American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU).
Legal Challenges & Temporary Injunction Against Khalil’s Deportation
Khalil’s legal team filed a habeas corpus petition in a federal court, challenging the legality of his detention. In response, U.S. District Judge Jesse M. Furman issued a temporary injunction blocking his deportation while the case undergoes further review.
His attorney, Amy Greer, argues that Khalil’s detention violates constitutional protections against arbitrary detention, stating:
“This is a clear case of the government abusing immigration laws to silence lawful political expression. Mr. Khalil has not committed a crime—he has simply exercised his right to free speech.”
For legal updates and federal court decisions, visit United States Courts.
Protests and Rising Tensions on Campuses
The arrest has triggered nationwide protests, with students and faculty at Columbia University, NYU, and other institutions demanding Khalil’s immediate release. Many academic institutions have expressed concerns that this sets a dangerous precedent for targeting foreign students and scholars based on their political beliefs.
In response, Columbia University has increased security measures on its campus while issuing a statement defending freedom of speech. The university’s administration stated that while it does not condone violence, it supports the right of students to engage in peaceful political activism.
For academic policy statements and responses, visit Columbia University’s website.
Broader Implications of Trump’s Policy Shift
Beyond Khalil’s case, the new ICE directive is expected to impact thousands of international students, activists, and foreign nationals. The Trump administration’s visa revocation program has already resulted in hundreds of deportations, raising concerns about due process and selective enforcement.
Civil rights groups, including Human Rights Watch, have called on Congress to intervene and halt deportations based on political expression.
“Using immigration enforcement as a means of political intimidation undermines fundamental American values,” said Kica Matos, President of the National Immigration Law Center.
What Happens Next?
As legal battles over Khalil’s detention continue, the broader Trump administration policy of surveilling and detaining pro-Palestinian activists is likely to face challenges in federal courts. Civil liberties groups are expected to escalate legal actions, and protests across universities show no signs of slowing down.
Meanwhile, Trump has doubled down on his promise to deport individuals deemed sympathetic to Hamas, signaling that his immigration policies in his second term will be even more aggressive than his first.
For updates on U.S. immigration policy and legal challenges, visit:
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A senior at Yale-NUS College with interests in developmental and labour economics, as well as creative non-fiction and poetry. Currently, I’m studying as an Economics major and an Arts and Humanities minor (focusing on Creative Writing) with heavy involvement in the Singaporean journalism scene and involved in research on economic history and educational policy. I’m working as an author for SKC News, Yale-NUS’ student publication, as a writer for Wingspan, Yale-NUS’ alumni magazine, and as a tutor for the NUS Libraries Writer’s Centre. | Linkedin