Trump administration targets Khalil over alleged immigration fraud

In the United States, Mahmoud Khalil, a Syrian-born pro-Palestinian activist and a recent Columbia University graduate, has been embroiled in a legal battle regarding his immigration status. Khalil, who entered the U.S. on a green card, was detained by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) earlier this month outside his home in Manhattan. His arrest has sparked significant national debate, with civil rights groups claiming that the Trump administration is retaliating against him for his political activism related to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Trump administration has cited new grounds for Khalil's deportation, accusing him of concealing his employment with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) in his green card application. They also allege that he misrepresented his affiliations with a group called Columbia University Apartheid Divest and his role in working at the British Embassy’s Syria office in Beirut. These claims are part of a broader effort by the government to argue that Khalil's presence in the U.S. poses a threat to national foreign policy interests, based on a rarely used section of U.S. immigration law. Legal proceedings surrounding Khalil are currently unfolding in federal court, where a judge has temporarily blocked his deportation. Khalil's attorneys are arguing that the allegations against him stem from his exercise of free speech and that he has not received due process. The situation is further complicated by ongoing scrutiny of the UNRWA, particularly in light of accusations that some of its employees may have been involved in terrorist activities linked to Hamas in Israel. The Biden administration had previously cut funding to the UN agency following these claims, which adds a significant layer of political tension to Khalil’s case. In public statements, Khalil's wife expressed her outrage over the accusations, describing them as unfounded and a mischaracterization of her husband’s intentions. His activism against violence in the Middle East, including protests at Columbia University concerning the Gaza conflict, has positioned Khalil in a contentious spotlight, leading many to view his arrest as politically motivated. As court proceedings continue, this case remains a focal point of broader discussions regarding immigration, free speech rights, and the ramifications of political activism in the U.S.