The Trump administration has intensified its crackdown on foreign pro-Palestinian and anti-Israeli activists in the U.S., now extending potential deportation measures to include green card holders.
On Monday, officials warned that permanent residents involved in such activism could have their green cards revoked and face deportation.
This development follows the recent deportation of a Chinese scholar at UCLA who was on a student visa and participated in an anti-Israeli protest.
Expanding the policy further, authorities arrested Palestinian student-activist Mahmoud Khalil at Columbia University, alleging his involvement in activities aligned with Hamas, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government.
Initially, authorities believed Khalil was on a student visa, but upon discovering he held a U.S. green card, they confirmed that even permanent residency would not protect individuals engaged in such activities.
"We will be revoking the visas and/or green cards of Hamas supporters in America so they can be deported," Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated on X (formerly Twitter), signaling stricter enforcement against individuals engaging with groups the U.S. designates as terrorist organizations.
Legal Implications & National Security Measures
Under U.S. immigration law, the government has the authority to revoke green cards if the holder is convicted of certain crimes, including those classified as “moral turpitude.”
Currently, nearly 13 million green card holders reside in the U.S., with around 10 million eligible for citizenship.
Khalil, a Syrian national, rose to prominence as a student negotiator at Columbia University during last year’s anti-Israeli protests.
He was among the few activists who publicly identified themselves, as Columbia University became a focal point for pro-Palestinian demonstrations following Israel’s attacks on Gaza in response to Hamas' terrorist attack.
A Homeland Security spokesperson confirmed his arrest, stating: "On March 9, 2025, in support of President Trump’s executive orders prohibiting anti-Semitism and in coordination with the Department of State, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) arrested Mahmoud Khalil, a former Columbia University graduate student.
Khalil led activities aligned with Hamas, a designated terrorist organization. ICE and the Department of State are committed to enforcing President Trump’s executive orders and protecting U.S. national security."
Legal Challenge & Political Fallout
Khalil’s attorney, Amy Greer, told ABC News that his wife, an eight-months-pregnant U.S. citizen, was unable to locate him following his arrest.
She accused the administration of suppressing student activism and political speech, particularly targeting Columbia University students criticizing Israel’s actions in Gaza.
His arrest and potential deportation, which is expected to be challenged in court, comes days after President Trump cut $400 million in federal funding to Columbia University, citing its failure to combat pro-Palestinian protests, which the administration claims involved anti-Semitic rhetoric and harassment of Jewish students.
