The recent arrest of Palestinian activist Mahmoud Khalil has sparked concerns about the protection of foreign students and green card holders in the United States. Khalil, who helped organize campus protests against the war in Gaza last spring, was taken into custody by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Saturday. His arrest has raised questions about whether foreign students and green card holders are safe from deportation in the current political climate.
Khalil, who is currently being held at an immigration detention center in Louisiana, is facing immigration court proceedings that could result in his deportation. His arrest has been met with criticism, with many arguing that he is being unfairly and unlawfully targeted for his activism. However, the federal government has labeled him as a terrorist sympathizer and has linked his arrest to President Donald Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism.
The situation has raised concerns about the protection of green card holders, who have lawful permanent residence status in the US. According to Jaclyn Kelley-Widmer, an immigration law professor at Cornell Law School, green card holders are generally well-protected and should be considered safe from deportation, second only to US citizens. However, this protection is not absolute and green card holders can still face deportation for committing certain crimes or engaging in fraudulent activities.
The Department of Homeland Security has stated that Khalil’s arrest was due to Trump’s executive orders on anti-Semitism. The president has argued that supporting the Palestinian group Hamas, designated as a terrorist organization by the US, is a valid reason for revoking someone’s right to remain in the country. However, Khalil and other student leaders of Columbia University Apartheid Divest have denied any claims of anti-Semitism and have stated that their protests are part of a broader anti-war movement, which also includes the involvement of Jewish students and groups. While the protest coalition has voiced support for leaders of Hamas and Hezbollah, they have not been convicted of any terrorist-related activities or charged with any wrongdoing.
Experts have noted that the federal government has broad authority to arrest and deport a green card holder on terrorism grounds. Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, a green card holder can be considered “removable” if the secretary of homeland security or the attorney general have reasonable grounds to believe that they have engaged in or are likely to engage in terrorist activities. However, there is speculation as to whether participating in protests, as Khalil did, can be considered terrorist activity, especially when it takes place within the US.
One of the key issues in Khalil’s case is what ICE agents said to his lawyer at the time of his arrest. According to his lawyer, Amy Greer, the agents initially claimed to be acting on a State Department order to revoke his student visa. However, when Greer informed them that Khalil was a permanent resident with a green card, they then said they would revoke that documentation instead. This raises questions about the validity of Khalil’s arrest and the reasons behind it.
The next steps in Khalil’s case involve a hearing before an immigration judge, who will determine whether he can be deported. Florida immigration attorney John Gihon has stated that Khalil will receive charging documents explaining the reasons for his detention and a notice to appear in immigration court within 72 hours of his arrest. From there, he will make an initial appearance before an immigration judge, which could take anywhere from 10 days to a month. However, due to extensive delays in the immigration court system, it is not uncommon for individuals to be moved to different detention facilities and transferred across the country.
Khalil’s lawyers have also filed a lawsuit challenging his detention, and a federal judge in New York City has ordered that he not be deported while the court considers his case. A hearing is scheduled for Wednesday, where the fate of Khalil’s deportation will be determined.
This situation has brought to light the vulnerability of foreign students and green card holders in the United States. The uncertainty surrounding the protection of these individuals has raised concerns about the safety and security of those who choose to study and live in the US. It is important for the government to ensure that the rights of green card holders are protected, and that they are not unfairly targeted for their political views or activism.
In these trying times, it is important to remember that diversity and differing opinions are what make America great. We must continue to stand up for the rights of all individuals, regardless of their background, and ensure that they are given a fair and just legal process. The case
