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My grandfather. My brother. My uncles. My daddy. Fought for this country. Our constitution gives us the privilege to free speech. If one of us is disinfrachised. All of us are. We live in a democracy. We are not ruled by a king. Free him now.
Lisha supported: Free Mahmoud Khalil. Stop His Unjust Detention.The Donald Trump administration arrested and tries to deport Mahmoud Khalil, a legal permanent resident, because it does not like what he has said.1
I do not know Mr. Khalil, but he and I would probably disagree on several points about Middle Eastern policy.
However, the government may not criminalize speech.
Federal agents arrested Mr. Khalil inside the Manhattan, NY residential building where he has his home. The plainly clothed agents took away Mr. Khalil in an unmarked vehicle, according to press reports.
The Department of Homeland Security moved him to a lockup in Louisiana, hampering his lawyers access to him. Furthermore, the Trump administration sought to evade the jurisdiction of federal courts in New York.2
Jailing and trying to deport Mr. Khalil is wrongful and horrifying. The government should immediately drop this persecution, releasing Mr. Khalil to return to his family in New York. (Mr. Khalil’s wife, a U.S. citizen, is eight months pregnant.)
The Trump administration argues the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 allows the government to deport any foreigner whose activities or presence the secretary of state has sensible basis to believe would potentially seriously harm the country’s foreign policy interests.
This statutory provision, a McCarthyism relic, has rarely or never been enforced. It violates freedom of speech and the right to due process, civil liberties enshrined in the Constitution’s First and Fifth amendments.
The Trump administration claims that one of its foreign policy goals is to counter antisemitism. President Trump’s record of antisemitism belies the claim.3
I support countering antisemitism. What Mr. Khalil’s heart holds, I do not know. The Trump administration frequently conflates Israeli government policy criticism and antisemitism.
Additionally, the government alleges Mr. Khalil’s First Amendment activities “align” him with a foreign terrorist group, conflating speech and crimes.
Let us be clear: The Trump administration does not like what Mr. Khalil has said, so the administration targeted him for political retribution, abusing his rights and trying to deport him.
The government may not silence and punish dissent. This should gravely concern us all.
President Trump stated Mr. Khalil’s case is “the first arrest of many to come.”
Persecution is evil and unacceptable.
References
1. Trump Administration Seeks to Expel a Green-Card Holder Over Student Protests. The New York Times. (2025, March 10). www.nytimes.com/2025/03/10/us/trump-rubio-khalil-columbia-student-protests.html
2. There Was a Second Name on Rubio’s Target List. The Atlantic. (2025, March 13). www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2025/03/trump-deportation-green-card-holder-mahmoud-khalil/682037
3. Trump’s long history of trafficking in antisemitic tropes. The Washington Post. (2022, Oct. 17). www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2022/10/17/trump-history-antisemitic-tropes
Brian supported: Free Mahmoud Khalil. Stop His Unjust Detention.The first amendment guarantees our freedom of speech. Whether I agree with what someone says or disagree is not the point, even if I abhorrent what they are saying, we are a nation of laws. We do not simply make people disappear.
Katherine supported: Free Mahmoud Khalil. Stop His Unjust Detention.No father- regardless of race, religion, beliefs, ability, intelligence, genetics, family history, or a failing government- should ever have to worry about being stolen from his family and pregnant wife. This country has absolutely failed its people, let us not fail eachother. We are our last line of defense.
Layne supported: Free Mahmoud Khalil. Stop His Unjust Detention.If a legal permanent resident like Mahmoud Khalil wasn't safe, then none of us are. His detention is illegal and unjust.
Kathryn supported: Free Mahmoud Khalil. Stop His Unjust Detention.It’s always easier to first go after the Strangers within our gates, isn’t it? After all, barely anyone spoke up, when the Palmer Raids, happened here at the end of World War I? Or when that “uppity Negro”, Marcus Garvey, was deported back to Jamaica, in the 1920s? Or how about, how Mexican Americans, some of whom, had been living in California, or the American Southwest; for generations. Were rounded up, and in some instances, made to wade over to the Mexican side of the Rio Grande; at gun point. During the Great Depression? Or how about, during World War II, when we incarerated Janapanse Americans?
That’s why I refuse to keep silent!
Lacey supported: Free Mahmoud Khalil. Stop His Unjust Detention.I am surprised we came to a point where this is necessary.
Making America Great Again requires building an America that serves and protects all of its citizens and residents.
We must fight fascism with petitions/words and other peaceful means.
There are no winners in a civil war.
Patrick supported: Free Mahmoud Khalil. Stop His Unjust Detention.Working for Nightline when I was a Barnard student absolutely changed my life. All the skills I learned through my work on the lines and in leadership impacted my personal life and career greatly. Barnard students really utilize this service, and I know it is a comfort for them to have as a resource. I was a Director and know how deeply the student leadership works with and trusts the Barnard and Columbia admin they work with. Please let them continue this important and extraordinary and selfless work.
Waverley supported: Restore Peer Support: Reinstate Nightline Access for Barnard StudentsBC’25. Nightline is a vital mental health resource. In times as turbulent as these, Barnard students deserve access to an anonymous, peer listening service. We've taken calls from students who felt they had nowhere else to turn—everyone in distress deserves the chance to reach out and be heard.
Chelsea supported: Restore Peer Support: Reinstate Nightline Access for Barnard StudentsI am an alumnus of Columbia College Class of 2023 and a former listener for Nightline. I implore you: please, let public safety come first, and every other consideration follow. Whatever factors you weigh, let this be the first and the last: Nightline saves lives. As with any organization built to avert catastrophe, successful outcomes are often invisible; you won’t see what didn’t happen. But this is just the point. Nightline, more than anything, represents a first line of defense to protect the health and lives of those under your watch. It must be allowed to fulfill that function.
Raphael supported: Restore Peer Support: Reinstate Nightline Access for Barnard StudentsYou’re not alone — a community of supporters is ready to back you.
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