Arrest and Legal Challenges
Mahmoud Khalil, a Palestinian activist and permanent U.S. resident, was arrested by agents in , with his student visa and green card revoked under a order.
Khalil's detention has led to legal challenges, with his attorneys arguing that his First Amendment and due process rights were violated, and a New York federal judge temporarily blocking his deportation.
Political Context and Reactions
The Trump administration's crackdown on pro-Palestinian activists, including Khalil, is framed as a response to rising antisemitism and a defense against foreign policy threats, sparking accusations of using immigration enforcement to suppress dissent.
Khalil's arrest has garnered widespread condemnation from human rights organizations, activists, and even some Jewish groups, protesting against the perceived infringement on free speech and the targeting of pro-Palestinian activists.